It was supposed to be an all-day training event, a duplex in poor condition used for firefighter training and then allowed to burn to the ground. When fire hit the attic a few hours into the session on Rapids Street today, commanding officers gave the order to halt the training and let the house burn. It was something Roanoke Rapids Fire Department Chief Gary Corbet and Halifax Community College fire and EMS instructor Kevin Kupietz prepared for. “That’s why we have all the lines on the ground,” Corbet said.

Kupietz said because the fire hit the attic early, there was no reason to continue the training and risk injury to a firefighter. Had it been a real fire, firefighters would have attacked it, Corbet said, instead, firefighters stayed on both sides of the building to keep the radiant heat from melting vinyl on neighboring property. The fire department notified people in the neighborhood of the live burn several weeks in advance, handing out flyers They also removed windows from the structure, stabilized the floor and cleared bushes. Many people from the neighborhood came out to watch, many bringing lawn chairs and taking photos of the event. Dean Van Dyke, who just moved in across the street, had coffee and doughnuts ready for the firefighters.

“I have an appreciation for anyone who works for a living,” he said. Corbet explained the owner of the duplex requested the fire department burn the building. “It was run down,” he said. “The flooring was collapsed and the joists were rotting.” For the fire department, it was chance to do several types of training. “We do like the opportunity,” Corbet said. “We have several new firefighters who haven’t had the chance for live training.” With assistance from the Davie Volunteer Fire Department, which supplied tankers, the fire departments and the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad were ready for a full day of training. They planned rapid intervention drills simulating situations where firefighters were trapped.

“We’re trying to help the fire department with rapid intervention and getting firefighting experience,” said Brian Hux of Roanoke Valley. Thus far there have been no situations calling for the rapid intervention team, Hux said. “Roanoke Rapids has been quiet. They haven’t had any structure fires that required an internal attack. It’s been quiet, which is a good thing.” They were able to get some training in before the fire reached the attic and compromised the safety of the house for training. During one session, one firefighter sustained a mild burn to the back of his neck when overhead flames licked his neck. The firefighter, Richard Cooke was OK and was treated at the scene. Soon after, the fire reached the attic and the training was called off. “We expected it,” Corbet said, “Because of the condition of the house."