(Atlantic City, WY) – The quick thinking/actions of an Atlantic City firefighter and the ensuing help from other responders helped save a wheelchair-bound Atlantic City resident during a chimney fire this weekend, according to a March 10 release from the Fremont County Fire Protection District.
Fremont County Fire Protection District firefighters from Atlantic City, Lander Rural, and Battalion 1 were alerted to a structure fire in Atlantic City at around 8 PM on March 7, the release states.
“The structure reportedly had a chimney fire with a handicap/wheelchair bound resident still inside.”
Atlantic City Firefighter Mark Keiser arrived on scene within minutes, the release goes on to inform, at which point he assisted the residents in evacuating the structure to the safety of a parked vehicle.
Firefighter Keiser then used a fire extinguisher to stop the progress of the fire within the chimney and begin ventilation of the structure. Once additional help arrived, Lander Rural firefighters accessed the roof to completely extinguish any remaining embers in the flue of the chimney.
“Fremont County Fire Protection District would like to recognize Firefighter Keiser for his diligence and professionalism to mitigate a very difficult situation that could have been disastrous,” the release continues.
“Additionally, Fremont County Fire Protection District would like to thank Frontier EMS for their response to check on the individuals, and Fremont County Communications for their handling of the 911 call. All of the agencies involved are also very grateful to both the Wyoming Department of Transportation, and the Fremont County Department of Transportation, both of whom made it possible to respond to the fire location on the eve of the seasons largest snow storm. The roadways were exceptional in an area where they had been closed earlier that day.”
The Fremont County Fire Protection District also reminds citizens that “fire extinguishers can be a life-saving device.”
“Fire extinguishers may be needed to make a safe egress from the home. During any fire emergency, evacuation and 911 must be the first priorities.”
(Editor’s Note: This post originally stated: “The structure reportedly had a chimney fire with a handicap/wheelchair bound, and elderly resident still inside.” A party involved in the incident reached out to let us know that the subject is not elderly, as stated in the release, and that information has been changed accordingly.)