A smoking attic at J.G. Alexander Nursing Center in Union drew an impressive response Thursday from area first responders and forced residents to briefly be evacuated from the building.
After receiving the call shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 29, the Union Volunteer Fire Department was the first to respond. According to Union Fire Chief Dale Yates, heavy smoke was coming from the attic and taking over the building, forcing the staff at J.G. Alexander to evacuate bundled up residents outside the building into the cooler temps. After it was determined the building was safe, residents were immediately returned to the building before 11 a.m.
Also responding to the call were Beulah Hubbard VFD, Decatur VFD, Linwood VFD, Dixon VFD, Greenfield VFD, AmeriPro Ambulance Service, Neshoba EMS, Newton County Emergency Services, Neshoba EMA, Union Public Schools (who provided buses to allow residents to get out of the cold), Union Police Department, Union Water Department, First Baptist Church Union, and a number of community members eager to help. Choctaw EMA and Philadelphia Fire were in the act of responding when it was canceled enroute.
After an investigation, Yates said it was determined that electrical lines from a water heater in the attic caused all the smoke. He expressed appreciation for the response and that actions taken averted a major disaster.
“Thanks to each person that responded and helped with the call,” said Yates. “The staff did an excellent job providing care and assisting fire personnel. The way the community, as well as surrounding communities, responded was amazing.”
