Severe weather damages fire station in Vidalia

VIDALIA, Ga. (WTOC) - The Vidalia Fire Department shared photos of damage to Fire Station 1 during severe weather Sunday evening.

Thankfully, the department says no one was hurt and all fire services will stay in operation.

However, there was “extensive damage to the station” and the National Weather Service will be there Monday to investigate.

With Vidalia Fire’s Station 1 out of commission, they’ll at least temporarily make their home in another facility just a mile and a half away.

The storm hit the fire station on Aimwell Road around 7 p.m., with one firefighter in the building.

“All of a sudden, the part of the roof is missing, and the all the bay doors are blown out. He described it as an explosion,” Assistant Chief Ben Allen said.

When they got the doors open, they were able to move the trucks to keep them running. For now, they’ll put the station’s crew and a truck at the new Toombs County EMA and EMS headquarters.

While they’re still moving in themselves, the director says it has a kitchen and sleeping quarters to use.

“We have the capability of allowing Vidalia Fire Department to put one or maybe two fire trucks under shelters,” Toombs County EMA Director Lynn Moore said.

That gives them a home on the same side of town to help keep all of Vidalia safe.

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