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Neighbors, septic tank cleaner helped control house fire
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More from Other NewsNeighbors and a passing septic tank cleaner helped control a fire at an Oak View home this weekend until firefighters arrived to put it out.
Layne Bell, owner of Layne's Pumping Service, was driving his sewage-filled truck near the 100 block of Grapevine Road about noon Saturday when he saw several clients using garden hoses and fire extinguishers to battle a growing fire in the carport of a neighborhood home, he said.
His truck has a high pressure hose, so he stopped to help spray down the fire.
In addition to a tank that holds about 2,600 gallons of human waste, Bell's truck has a 200-gallon fresh water tank and a high pressure hose for cleaning septic lines, he said.
When he arrived at the fire, he connected a line to the home's water spigot and used the high pressure hose spray water on the flames, Bell said.
"It was roaring, so we definitely helped slow it down," said Bell.
When firefighters arrived, an outbuilding was completely engulfed in flames and the fire was spreading to the house, said Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Bill Nash.
Firefighters finished off the blaze in about 13 minutes.
No injuries were reported.
Investigators on Monday had not determined what caused the blaze, Nash said.
Details were not available Monday about the damage to the home and the outbuilding.
The residents of the home could not be reached for comment Monday.
Nash did not see the neighborhood effort to save the house on Grapevine Road, but he said attentive neighbors often help firefighters.
"It's very common that good neighbors do good deeds while we are in route," he said. "We appreciate it as long as they don't put themselves in danger."
There was a hairy moment Saturday when a live power line came down close to the helpers, Bell said.
But the 36-year-old Ventura man was happy to help battle the blaze.
Bell laughed as he reflected that though his father was a Los Angles County Firefighter and his pump vehicle looks a little like a fire truck, this is "the first time in 16 years of pumping turds that I used the truck to put out a fire."
Posted by TheSportsLogoPundit on October 1, 2007 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If...
"this is 'the first time in 16 years of pumping turds that I used the truck to put out a fire."
...Isn't the best quote to appear in the Star, I'd love to hear what's better.
Posted by res1q7et on October 1, 2007 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It makes my day to hear about the good people in our community. Great job Mr. Bell!!
Posted by JohnAlamillo on October 1, 2007 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have used Layne for jobs and his actions don't surprise me. He is an honest genuine individual. Layne's best attribute is how he handles his chosen occupation with grace, humor and humility.
Thanks for being a part of the community.
Posted by SUEBABY on October 1, 2007 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank God he used the FRESH water tank....
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