Perry Fire responds to blaze at BP Food Mart

PERRY – The Perry Fire Department responded to the BP Food Mart at 1501 Sam Nunn Boulevard on Tuesday, March 11. Fire crews received a call at approximately 2:11 p.m. for a reported structure fire, according to Assistant Fire Chief Kirk Crumpton. 

Crumpton said when crews departed, they could already see smoke coming from the building. When they arrived, they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear side of the structure. Crews arrived in approximately four minutes and were on scene for just under three hours. 

The Houston County Fire Department also responded to assist. The building suffered heavy interior smoke, fire and water damage. 

“It doesn’t appear that way from the outside but it got very hot in there. Our crews, when they made their first entrance to the front door, it was extreme heat and smoke to the floor [and] zero visibility condition,” Crumpton said. “Kind of one of those not so great scenarios for our firemen, but that’s why we train what we do. When that does happen, we don’t want that to be an unfamiliar experience.”

The department has 13 personnel on staff. Everyone had a task on scene, including Fire Chief Lee Parker and Crumpton, who said he was immensely proud of the team.

“It’s what we call an ‘all-hands working’ event. Everybody was busy doing something. We train for that. We often have to do a lot with little. We’re ready for that,” he said. 

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but is under investigation. No injuries were reported.