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Enterprise officials praise multi‑agency response after Veterans Home fire; residents evacuated safely
Summary
City staff and officials detailed firefighting and evacuation efforts at the Command Sergeant Major Benjie Atkins State Veterans Home in mid‑April, thanked dozens of responding agencies and volunteers, and said all residents were evacuated and the incident command concluded after a multi‑agency response and inspections.
City staff and officials thanked local and regional agencies and described coordinated rescue and suppression efforts after a fire at the Command Sergeant Major Benjie Atkins State Veterans Home in mid‑April.
Fire Chief Christopher Davis gave a detailed staff report saying the Enterprise Fire Department responded to a pull station alarm on April 16 and found smoke on the roof near a loading dock. Davis described rapid fire progression that required trench cuts and mutual aid from career and volunteer departments. “All residents were successfully evacuated within 1 hour through coordinated efforts,” he said.
Davis listed dozens of agencies, ambulance companies and volunteer departments that assisted, and singled out the American Red Cross for sustained on‑site support. He thanked city departments and local businesses that supplied equipment and food to responders during the multi‑day response and recovery.
The chief said operations expanded across several days to remove roofing materials and extinguish residual combustion; the final signs of combustion were observed on April 19, and incident command formally concluded on April 21 after briefings with the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office and the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.
Mayor Cooper and several council members publicly commended chiefs and responders at the meeting. “I want to commend Chief Davis and the members of the Enterprise Fire Department. They responded with great professionalism and courage,” the mayor said. Council members and staff noted the outpouring of donations and interagency support and said veterans and staff would have city support for recovery and return to the facility.
No injuries to residents were reported in the council presentation. City officials said the building sustained damage but that the residents could return when the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs determines the next steps.
