Twin Lakes unveils new, improved fire station
The firefighters lost everything in the fire.
The firefighters lost everything in the fire.
The firefighters lost everything in the fire.
After a fire burned down a small-town volunteer fire station last year, Twin Lakes unveiled their brand-new firehouse.
The firefighters lost everything in the fire. One of their trucks is one of many that was donated from fire departments across the state, but the brand-new firehouse is Twin Lakes’ very own.
Devastation was all that was left of the firehouse after it went up in flames last year.
"It was too late to save anything. It was a devastating loss," said Lori Dahlem of the Twin Lakes Fire Department.
Now, a brand-new firehouse rose from the ashes.
"Fortunately, we have insurance and that pretty much paid for everything," Dahlem said.
$430,000 built Twin Lakes its shiny new firehouse, but almost everything inside is donations, from the gear, furniture and uniforms.
Fire crews said their razor started the fire. The assistant fire chief tried to save the equipment but had to evacuate.
The stress of the event sent him to the hospital where he found out he needed to undergo quadruple bypass surgery. His wife and fellow firefighter called the fire a blessing in disguise.
"His surgeon basically said that the fire pretty much saved his life because he wouldn't have known and we live 45 minutes away from a hospital," Dahlem said.
With a new building, Twin Lakes said they’re more than ready to start the new chapter.
"We're very excited and the open house is just the beginning," Dahlem said.
The station’s open house will be Sunday at 2 p.m. The crew will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony and raise the flag for the first time since the fire.
It will be an emotional day for the firefighters.