Barutha said Mike Nigbor made runs to his Family Pride Laundromat throughout the night to dry coats and pants. East Troy Motors provided coffee and in between hot sandwiches, thawed out gloves in the microwave, according to one fireman.

The organization and the cooperation exhibited by the villagers impressed the American Red Cross and the Milwaukee Fire Buffs Club who go to fires to help care for firemen, Barutha said. "The fire buffs were so non-plussed they couldn't do anything, so they went back home."

The traffic in the shelters was constant as red faced firemen came in from a few minutes of fighting the fire. Their coat buckles had to be chiseled loose to unfasten. Helmets rested on ice reinforced earflaps and some received immediate attention for frostbit with warm water basins for the hands and hot towels for the face.

"The community response was something to behold," Pluess said. East Troy fireman Tom Reimer agreed, "It was amazing how fast people showed up. In two hours the chili was ready and another two it was crowded with people ready to help out. In Milwaukee they would have closed their doors. Every time I turned around someone offered me a cup of coffee and I didn't have to worry about dry gloves."

Troy Center fireman Darryl Durbin was also grateful. "The rest of the firefighters and I would like to thank the ladies who were busy, concerned and ready for anybody with frostbite or an iced-over coat. It was the most most beautiful thing. The response is greatly appreciated," he said.

While warm supplies never stopped, the water supply became a matter of concern. The fire hoses had to remain open to prevent freezing which caused such a drain on the village water supply that the level of the water in the tower was reduced to nine percent, even thou the wells were producing 1500 gallons per minute at that time. Pluess had Michael Prescott, Troy Center Chief, handle water and tanker assignments inside over the radio because his hand was frozen from getting water inside his glove.

"Prescott handled the assignments and called for extra help. "He did a fine job and a half," Pluess said. "He was fabulous." By six o'clock, they were trucking water from Mukwonago, and some came up from Genoa City. More than 1,200,000 gallons of water was used to douse the fire.

Pluess in the meantime ran back between units to coordinate the aerials because his radio was out, but singular heroics are hard to distinguish. Each man praised the mutual assistance pact agreed to by Walworth County fire departments and even more praise worthy was the coordination that existed during the fire.

"Everything went smooth considering the conditions," Barutha said. "Everybody worked as an efficient and coordinated team. The East Troy Fire Department can't in any way convey at this time their gratitude to their fellow firefighters and people in the community," Barutha expressed to the news.

"Its nice to know other firefighters will back you up at one a.m. in terrible weather from 20 miles away," Mark schmidt said. "They didn't care about conditions. Damn lucky no one was hurt."

"It was the help of every man there that put out the fire," Pluess said. "The chiefs of the other departments saved the square." Prescott echoed the sentiment. "I'll remember all the fire departments there working as a team and the professionalism they showed. Some guys worked for more than an hour at a time. They were so fatigued. I can't say how proud i am to be a volunteer fireman."

By ten, the fire was, for the most part out and by twelve, most of the visiting departments had left. All that was left was a little touch up work and a lot of cleanup. In the end, the fire was beaten by the best of our any weather friends.

 

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