[IRONY] Lancaster Fire Station Burns Down

Firefighters return to own blaze

09:28 PM CDT on Friday, June 25, 2004

By HERB BOOTH / The Dallas Morning News

Firefighters at Lancaster's Fire Station No. 3 have a dry place to lay their heads thanks to a local businessman who donated a motor home while their station is being mended.

Potatoes left cooking on a stove started a fire Thursday that caused at least $125,000 in damage at the station on West Belt Line Road.

"I'll bet if you ask, most departments have had this happen," Fire Marshal Ladis Barr said. "They're always responding to other people's emergencies. I guess you never know when they'll respond to their own."

Danny Douthit, a former Lancaster volunteer firefighter, donated the RV.

"He's helped the community many times, and this time was no exception," Mr. Barr said.

Shift Commander Mike Bethell said service should not be affected. He said firefighters would use other stations' facilities to bathe and cook. None of the equipment was damaged.

Mr. Barr said restoration will take three to four weeks. The bedrooms should be ready Monday.

Station 3 firefighters were dispatched to a major accident at Belt Line and Interstate 35 when a passer-by noticed the fire at the station and called 911.

E-mail hbooth@dallasnews.com.

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