Local residents might have noticed smoke and flames coming from a two-story home on Neitzel Road, near State 73, on Monday evening.
Brad and Dave Tork, owners of Fanning Cranberry, donated the house to Wood County-area fire departments to give firefighters the opportunity to practice skills needed to keep themselves and their communities safe. In May, fire departments used the house to practice techniques for rescuing fallen firefighters.
Teri and Greg Gerdes were on hand to watch the firefighters work. Greg Gerdes is the marsh manager and was glad to see the house be used for the training.
On Monday, about 35 firefighters from eight departments — Vesper, Pittsville, Arpin, Hewitt, Rudolph, Sherry, City Point and Plover — practiced their firefighting skills as trainers ignited fires in different sections of the old home. Vesper Fire Department Capt. Paul Dederich organized and oversaw the training.