Firefighters in the Batesville area were called to two separate structure fires Tuesday, requiring coordinated efforts from multiple departments to bring the blazes under control. No injuries were reported in either incident, though both homes sustained significant damage.
The first fire occurred on Broadwater Lane and was reported during a Batesville Fire Department (BFD) meeting, enabling a swift response by a large group of personnel, according to the BFD. All occupants had evacuated the home by the time firefighters arrived. Crews conducted an interior search, extinguished the flames, and performed salvage and overhaul operations. Batesville Fire Chief Mark McCollum said Wednesday morning that the fire appeared to have originated in the carport and laundry room area before spreading to the attic.
Later that evening, around 11 p.m., the Batesville Fire Department was dispatched to assist the Ruddell Hill Fire Department with a larger, two-story structure fire on Gainer Ferry Road. When crews arrived, flames had already consumed the roof and heavily damaged the second floor. Ladder 1, BFD’s aerial truck, was deployed as an elevated waterway to suppress the fire from above. Firefighters also searched the home and confirmed it was unoccupied.
In addition to the Batesville and Ruddell Hill departments, the Bethesda and Northside fire departments provided assistance at the Gainer Ferry Road fire. Both incidents are under investigation, and the causes were not immediately available.
While no injuries were reported, the blazes highlighted the readiness and cooperation of local fire departments that worked together to protect the community.