Storm winds keep crews busy

Friday’s storm kept Valley firefighters on their toes with 34 structure fires reported during the week.

Heavy winds early Friday felled at least four trees in the Valley and took down 20 power lines, said Valley Fire spokesman Bill Clifford.

That night a fire destroyed a mobile home at the 400 block of North Hodges about 11:40 p.m., he said. Although the occupants made it safely outside, the structure was destroyed.

Faulty wiring inside a wall likely caused the blaze, Clifford said.

Another fire Sunday damaged a house at the 1100 block of South Mica Park Drive.

Ten fire alarms, most false, also kept emergency personnel busy throughout the week.

There were 18 vehicle accidents, although only three required transportation to the hospital, Clifford said.

On Dec. 14 someone called the fire department to report that a man was trapped under a small storage shed at the 19000 block of East Wellesley that had blown over, but the man freed himself before help arrived, Clifford said.

The 222 total calls for the week also included two hazardous materials calls and 152 calls for medical service.