FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Normal operations continue at Fresno County Fire Station 95 in Tranquillity.
Engine 95 is now responding from outside the station, after intense winds ripped off the roof.
“We are really fortunate that the crew was not here at the time. One, the engine in the bay would cause significant damage to the engine and two, we are constantly going in and out of the bay, so someone being in there could’ve suffered some major injuries.” Says Captain Zach Irion with Fresno County Fire.
The National Weather Service says dangerous winds were between 30 and 50 miles per hour, causing debris to fly directly across the street.
“It was more of a funnel cloud. The characteristics of these straight line winds is that they can actually produce a funnel cloud because there is a little rotation that goes through them,” mentions Carlos Molina, a National Weather Service Meteorologist.
A survey by the National Weather Service determined it was straight-line winds that caused the damage.
“Now if it would’ve been a tornado, that debris that was lofted and thrown into the parking lot would’ve been able to be picked up and thrown much further into the fire station,” explains Molina.
Meanwhile, at the fire station, crews rallied together to set up a temporary solution — piece of plywood, tarp and some sandbags will keep the bay dry until the roof is replaced.
“When something bad happens, we all have each other’s back, so that’s what we are seeing today. it’s just crews from our field group coming and helping out Station 95,” explains Captain Irion.
By ABC 30’s Kassandra Gutierrez
