At approximately 9:58 pm, Saturday, July 6, 2024, the Bessie Fire Department (BFD) received a page for a House fire at 309 W. 6th St.
Bessie responded with 12 firefighters, three brush trucks, a tanker, an engine, and a rescue unit. Cordell responded with three personnel and a ladder truck. Burns Flat responded with four personnel but was turned back en route, and Rocky responded with one person.
Washita County deputies, retired Bessie Firemen, and PSO employees were also on the scene, demonstrating their crucial roles to their community.
When Bessie firefighters first arrived on the scene, the house’s interior was engulfed in flames coming out of the doors and windows. The situation was dire, but the local and on-scene first responders immediately acted, ensuring the community’s safety.
The fire inside the house was quickly extinguished. However, the fire had gotten into cavities and voids in the walls and ceiling.
Heavy smoke continued to rise from the roof as crews worked to locate the source of the flames. Eventually, the fire emerged from the roof and was brought under control. Bessie fireman Matthew Goeringer stated that BFD determined that the fire originated on the home’s first level in a central location. However, due to investigation, no further information can be given at this time. Crews cleared the scene at 2:56 am.
The BFD is a 100% volunteer department. No firefighter receives compensation for the time they spend working fires like this.
The BFD emphasized that they greatly appreciate the citizens of Washita County and their continued support of county sales tax revenue, which allows them to afford the equipment and maintenance needed to fight fires like this one.
In a social media post, BFD stated, “This century-old house will be greatly missed. During the fire people in the town reminisced on living in the home and going to parties there. The home was originally owned by Lawrence Wise, the owner of a photo studio that took many of the early day pictures that we have of the town from around 1900-1920.”