Firefighters deal with low water pressure in blaze that destroyed Sherman home

SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) - Fire destroyed a Sherman family’s home Friday morning as firefighters dealt with low water pressure while trying to contain the blaze.

Due to the water issues facing the city, firefighters could only use the water from their truck.

“Everybody made it out okay. That’s the main thing,” said Jeff Hill, whose daughter lived in the home with her fiancé and two children.

Firefighters say smoke detectors woke up the family up early Friday morning to a fire that appeared to start in the garage.

“We sat and watched it and witnessed it. And we take things for granted,” Hill said.

Their home is on Anthony Drive near FM 1417 is on the Northwest side of town.

A neighbor says she hasn’t had water in three days.

Sherman Assistant Fire Chief Chris Olson said firefighters used around 750 gallons of water from the truck.

Sherman firefighters first tried using a nearby hydrant, but switched to water from a truck due to low water pressure from the hydrant.

He said they were aware of the pressure issues, and had to use the water they had to keep the fire from spreading.

“They had water on the truck, but just enough to keep the neighbors having the fire spread,” Hill said.

Olson said it’s hard to say if the outcome would be different if there had been more water pressure.

“I just like to know we have a great fire department here in Sherman, Texas. They were all here, they were all trying to do their job,” Hill said.

Their dog made it out, but the mother said her daughter’s pet guinea pig was still inside.

Hill said from here, it will just be one step at a time.

“Well the first thing we’re going to have to do is go get them some clothes. We’re going to have to move forward from there. We really don’t know,” he said.

Firefighters say they don’t know the cause yet, but say it was an accident.

A friend of the family is collecting items to help the family like backpacks for school, all home goods, winter coats, bedding, clothes and shoes.

Women’s size 12 or large, size 11 shoe

Men’s size 32 x 32 or large, size 10 shoe

Girls 14 to 16 or girls XL, size 5 women’s shoes

Boys 6 to 7 or youth small, size 1 boys shoes

She says if you anything you are willing to donate, you can bring it to Red River 4x4 on Travis Street and Mike Shelton will give it to them.

A PayPal was also created for donations for the family.

Sherman’s water treatment plant came back online early Thursday morning, after many residents lost service when the plant was included in the rolling blackouts across Texas earlier this week. A boil order remains in effect in Sherman.

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