VALDOSTA — Flames completely engulfed a house on New Hudson Street Tuesday morning.

More than a dozen firefighters stood watching the blaze get hotter and hotter as the house slowly collapsed into nothing but ash. The house served as an important part in training for Valdosta and Lowndes County firefighters, officials said.

Firefighter Justin Howard said the feel of putting out a fire is important in developing the proper muscle memory for fighting fires.

The Valdosta Fire Department conducted a controlled house burn 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at 613 N. Hudson St. 

The controlled burn allowed the Valdosta Fire Department to train its less-experienced firefighters on safe firefighting methods, as well as provide refresher training for the more-experienced firefighters. City officials said the realistic scenario is beneficial for firefighters who have not yet experienced a structural fire.

Howard said it was his third training scenario. The firefighter has been with VFD for about three years and has fought some tough fires but has never seen a fire as big as the one at New Hudson Street.

“No. We’re pretty good at putting out the fires before they get this far,” Howard said. “It’s excellent training, though. You can read all the books you want, but nothing can prepare you for fighting a fire better than actually doing it.”

Department personnel said they followed all required preparation steps to ensure the live burn was safe for training purposes. 

VFD staff also canvassed the surrounding neighborhood to inform residents of the structure fire and advised them to stay behind the designated training area.

The VFD utilizes condemned city properties for these types of controlled burns – properties that, as in this case, have already been properly permitted through EPD for removal. 

Property owners who would like to donate a condemned property for VFD training purposes are encouraged to contact the department for information about the process.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256