A house fire at 107 S. Olive St in Jefferson Saturday morning had the awesome rage of a fire but not the terror.
The controlled burn of the vacant house was a drill for county fire departments with all necessary precautions taken. Fire departments from Jefferson, Rippey, Grand Junction and Churdan participated.
The city of Jefferson took possession of the house last December as part of its Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Rather than demolish the house at the city’s expense, a permit was obtained from the state for the controlled burn.
Jefferson police officers, Greene County sheriff’s deputies, Greene County EMS and Alliant Energy personnel were on hand, and the burn drew curious onlookers, too.
Dr Elvin Thompson (left), who served on the Jefferson fire department years ago, watched the burn with his grandsons Judah and Caleb (right) and their father Jeremy Bolles. Dr Thompson explained that the fireman outfits are among the playthings that stay at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. The boys are drawn to “Emergency!” on television, Grandpa said, but on Saturday they got to see a real fire from the curb across the street.
According to sidewalk historians, in its better days the house served as a rooming house for railroad workers.
The now empty lot will be available to purchase from the city for new affordable housing.
