The recent tragic deaths of four Houston Fire Department Fire Fighters and the serious injuries of several of their fellow professionals brought into focus just how dangerous and life threatening fighting fires to protect the general public is for these dedicated heroes each time they make a fire run. Here in Liberty County we are blessed to have several volunteer Fire Departments who are staffed with Fire Fighters of equal heroism, dedication, commitment and willingness to put their own lives on the line to protect the citizens of their respective communities. Much of the fire-fighting equipment that each Fire Department uses to protect their citizens has been purchased out of their own pockets and/or raised at various fund raisers. These same Fire Fighters put in many personal off duty hours working hard to better their training and equipment in order to protect those unfortunate families that are threatened or victims of devastating fires in their homes and property.
Thus it is difficult to understand and to put into perspective as to why anyone would burglarize a Fire Station and steal the very equipment that is meant to protect the lives and property of the citizens of our County. However, this is exactly what happened to the Moss Bluff Volunteer Fire Department during some period of this past week and a half.
At approximately 10:40am this Tuesday Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy J.R. McQueen responded to a burglary call at the Moss Bluff Fire Station located on CR 133 South. Deputy McQueen was advised by Fire Chief John Wilson that it had been about a week or so since he had entered the Fire building but today when he arrived, he observed a side panel of the metal building pried open where burglars apparently entered and stole several thousand dollar’s worth of fire department equipment.
It can only be assumed that whoever burgled the fire station has no respect or regard, whatsoever, for the safety and wellbeing of the public who depend upon these dedicated and hard working volunteer Fire Fighters and their hard earned equipment to come to the public’s rescue in their effort to save lives and perhaps, even the homes of those who so selfishly stole from the very organization that is committed to serve them as well.
Chief Wilson reported that four (4) VHF radios, three (3) light bars from the top of their fire trucks along with solid brass fittings from almost a thousand feet of fire hose and the fire truck itself as well as a camo colored generator had been stolen. Also, included is a pump and the pump motor off their “brush truck”. The thieves even unbolted piping from the pumps under the trucks.
When the Chief found the trucks the hoods were up. The radiators and air conditioning condensers were missing from the trucks, All the batteries were removed, in some cases some of these trucks require at least four. Chief Wilson advised that many other items were stolen but his inventory will not be completed for a couple more days.
In addition to the Moss Bluff fire trucks that were stripped, a fire truck belonging to the Hull Daisetta Fire Department was also being stored at this facility and it was stripped as well which rendered all these trucks inoperable. As a result of these thefts, both the Moss Bluff Fire Department and the Hull Daisetta Fire Department are each posting a $2,000 reward for a total of $4,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this burglary and theft.
All the electrical panels in the station were stripped of copper and the breakers. The air conditioning units hanging from the ceiling were stripped of the copper and the kitchen was destroyed.
During the scene investigation, Deputy McQueen located finger prints at the point of entry on the metal siding and they were dusted and tagged for later examination with this case. The investigation is continuing and the Sheriff’s Department is asking that if anyone has any information regarding this offense or has knowledge of the whereabouts of the stolen fire department equipment to please call the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department at (936) 336-4500. Your identity will be kept confidential.
Moss Bluff Fire Department is made up of seven volunteers and a yearly budget of $23,000. The damage total is close to $200,000. Moss Bluff will have to depend on two other trucks they have and area volunteer fire departments.
Moss Bluff Fire Department made news back in 2004 when an underground natural gas cavern filled with close to 6 billion cubic feet of natural gas suffered a valve failure causing a massive explosion and shooting flames thousands of feet into the air. It was so intense that it could be seen in Houston. That fire lasted almost a week bringing Boots and Coots Wild Well Control to come in and assist with the fire.
ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE MOSS BLUFF FIRE DEPARTMENT MAY SEND IT TO :
MOSS BLUFF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
PO BOX 1986
LIBERTY, TEXAS 77575
VIDEO BELOW PHOTOS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJotJummJ4c&feature=youtu.be
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