8/11/2018
Jim Evancho
Jacksonville, AL – Michael Brodgon was welding in a shop located adjacent to the house he lives in on Ladiga Street N.E. when he realized a fire had started. He was able to get out of the workshop when the first tank of fuel exploded. The explosion was so loud that many residents on N.E. side were able to hear it and became concerned when it was followed by more.
Mr Brodgon was able to get his dog away from the fire and placed him in a safe area during the emergency call.
The fire quickly spread to the wood shed as fuel from the gas helped to feed it. The building quickly became fully engulfed in flames as the Jacksonville Fire Department arrived. Firefighters immediately attacked the fire and were able have it under control within minutes but the building was a complete loss.
The Jacksonville Police Department had to work at getting the street cleared from all the foot and motor vehicles traffic around the property to allow additional fire trucks to respond. They used their PA system from the vehicle and advised people to “evacuate the area immediately”.
Mr. Brodgon sustained singed hair on both arms but had no other injuries. He was home alone at the time so he was the only person exposed to the danger.