'We lost two brothers today; it's a terrible tragedy'
By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
Firefighters across the county are grieving the death of two Salisbury firemen.
"We lost two brothers today," said John Morrison, president of the Rowan Fire and Rescue Association.
Morrison, chief of the West Rowan Fire Department for 24 years, was among the dozens of volunteer firefighters from across the county helping battle the Salisbury Millwork fire.
"I'm sure the flags of every fire station are at half staff," Morrison said Friday night. "I have friends in the Salisbury Fire Department. I can only imagine what they are going through. It's a terrible tragedy."
Bostian Heights was among the more than 16 fire departments that responded.
Mike Zimmerman, chief of Bostian Heights, said he talked with Salisbury Fire Chief Bob Parnell late Friday. "They think it was some type of explosion."
Bostian Heights and many of the departments that responded to calls for help Friday morning were rotating crews and expected to have men and equipment on site all night.
While some of the county departments were on the front lines, others used tankers to pull water from hydrants at a distance and move it to the site.
West Rowan and East Spencer filled a drop tank to support the Mooresville ladder truck.
Morrison estimated that there were eight or more ladder trucks, including two or three from Charlotte.
Among the local fire departments sending firefighters and equipment were West Rowan, Bostian Heights, Locke, Franklin, Ellis Crossroads, Woodleaf, Cleveland, Scotch Irish, Union, Millers Ferry, Liberty, Rockwell Rural, Landis, Granite Quarry, Faith, Spencer, Enochville and Kannapolis. Some other fire departments went to city stations to provide back up.
Firefighters from across the county went by the city's Main Station on East Innes Street to offer their condolences and support.
"Every firefighter in this county is deeply saddened. This is a tragedy that affects each and every one," said Morrison. "We all work together. The city comes out in the county when we call. We go into the city when they need us."
"I can only imagine what they (city firefighters) are going through. This is a terrible tragedy. Our hearts go out to these folks; each and every one (of the county departments) will do anything they need us to do," said Morrison.
"By the grace of God, we've never lost a firefighter."
Landis Fire Chief Reid Linn, a veteran of 20 years with the Salisbury fire department, has many friends in the department, including Capt. Rick Barkley, who was injured and remained hospitalized.
"This is a tragedy that you hate to see happen," Linn said.
