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The house that Don and Duane grew up in, and Don and his family were currently living in became unsafe and had to be replaced. Don and Brenda decided not to just replace the house, but to donate it to the Greene Fire Department (GFD) for training purposes. However, before they could burn the house, it had to be prepared.

The front of the house stripped down for burning, August 24, 2003 A view of the back of the house, August 24, 2003 A view from the left side of the house, August 24, 2003

On August 24, 2003 the GFD showed up at 8:00 in the morning with their trucks and their personnel to train and have fun. The purpose of the training excersises were to put newer firefighters in real-life, yet controlled, situations. The GFD captain and his crew started small fires in the second floor, then a crew of approximately five guys had to go inside and extinguish it.

The GFD getting their trucks and men set up for the training, August 24, 2003 GFD Captain waiting for the next training round to begin, August, 24, 2003 A training group leaving after putting the fire out, August 24, 2003 Putting out the last fire before the whole house went up, August 24, 2003

Once all of the firemen had a chance to participate in the training activities, the real fun began. All of the firemen stepped back, and the house went up in flames. It took approximately 30 minutes for the house to fall. After the house had fallen in, and was no longer a threat, the firemen packed up their things and went on their way. Below are stages of the house fire taking places from beginning to end.

Fire and smoke slowly krept out of the house, August 24, 2003 Once it got involved, the house was covered in a large cloud of smoke, August 24, 2003 Firemen and spectators all sat back and watched the house go, August 24, 2003 The flames were very warm, therefore we all had to stand back, August 24, 2003
The flames started to slowly go down as the house fell, August 24, 2003 More of the house falls in, August 24, 2003 It's almost gone, August 24, 2003 At this point, the firemen went home knowing there was no more danger, August 24, 2003

The house is gone, but the memories will last forever. Don and Brenda are currently in the process of adding a new home on the spot where the old house stood. Check back for pictures when the process is complete.