DCFD East Station expects to reopen by Nov. 1

October 5, 2019 | 2:50 am

Updated October 5, 2019 | 2:50 am

The DCFD East Station expects to reopen by Nov. 1. | Graphic by Owensboro Times

Daviess County Fire Department’s East Station, which closed after a lightning strike in July, is expected to open sooner than anticipated.

“If all goes well, within the next three weeks we should be back in there,” said Daviess County Fire Chief Jeremy Smith. “If we keep on this path, I hope to be in there by the first of November.”

According to Smith, carpet was installed this week and crews were finishing up painting along with returning the engine bay area to normal.

Fire caused by the lightning strike and the subsequent water damage to extinguish the flames affected the living quarters and office area of the station, causing parts of the ceiling to collapse.

“We feel almost certain that it was a lighting strike, what we don’t know is where it came in at,” Smith said.

Daviess County Fiscal Court issued a declaration of emergency after an estimated $225,000 worth of damage to the station was assessed. The County’s insurance covered the cost of the repairs.

East station firefighters have been staged at the Thruston Philpot Fire Department on Reid Road since July.

“They have been very accommodating,” Smith said. “When something like this happens, you begin to realize how close you become with fellow firefighters.”

October 5, 2019 | 2:50 am

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