Pitt County Firefighters Burn Down House to Learn About Fires - WNCT | 9 On Your Side Greenville NC & Eastern NC News

Dozens of volunteer firefighters from Red Oak, Winterville Community, and Bell Arthur came together for the first live burn training of the year.

Crews got up early to set and put out several fires all morning.

The purpose was to learn more about the nature of a structure fire.

"Live fire trainings are extremely important because it's the only way we can prepare ourselves with real life situations and structures using class a combustible wood and stuff like that to really see how it reacts," said Lieutenant Smith of the Red Oak Fire Department.

For several of the firefighters it was their first time getting their feet wet at a live burn training.

"I loved it. I moved from one room to another for about five minutes, and just talked to some of the guys while we were in there, just learning new things," said volunteer firefighter Abraham Rizek.

"The new guys, the first time they go in and they really get to experience heat. They've read about it in books and they've heard the older firefighters talk about it; but, until you really experience it it's hard to describe," said Smith.

Smith says these types of fire training sessions are rare; because, they have to wait for someone to donate a house for them to use.

If you have an old home which you would like to donate to the program contact your local fire department.

Dozens of volunteer firefighters from Red Oak, Winterville Community, and Bell Arthur came together for the first live burn training of the year.

Crews got up early to set and put out several fires all morning.

The purpose was to learn more about the nature of a structure fire.

"Live fire trainings are extremely important because it's the only way we can prepare ourselves with real life situations and structures using class a combustible wood and stuff like that to really see how it reacts," said Lieutenant Smith of the Red Oak Fire Department.

For several of the firefighters it was their first time getting their feet wet at a live burn training.

"I loved it. I moved from one room to another for about five minutes, and just talked to some of the guys while we were in there, just learning new things," said volunteer firefighter Abraham Rizek.

"The new guys, the first time they go in and they really get to experience heat. They've read about it in books and they've heard the older firefighters talk about it; but, until you really experience it it's hard to describe," said Smith.

Smith says these types of fire training sessions are rare; because, they have to wait for someone to donate a house for them to use.

If you have an old home which you would like to donate to the program contact your local fire department.