Cold weather causes problems for local firefighters
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GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Freezing water from fire hoses and tankers caused big problems for crews in Gibson County. Firefighters were called to a barn fire near Rutherford late Wednesday night. They say they battled the flames for more than five hours. Officials said spillage from water tanks left a sheet of ice on roadways and their hoses actually froze to the ground. Gibson County Fire Chief Bryan Cathey said the extreme cold made it very difficult for the firefighters do their jobs. “When we get wet and we’re in a warm fire and come back outside our coat freezes, our gloves freeze and some of our equipment freezes,” Chief Cathey said. “It’s very difficult for us to do your job and fight the fire.” Chief Cathey said the fire inside the barn is still under investigation but was probably caused by a malfunctioning electric wall heater.
