Twin Lakes Fire Department needs help after fire destroys everything

LOGAN COUNTY, Okla. (KOCO) — Five years ago, the fire department in Twin Lakes helped save dozens of families as the Cimarron River flooded its banks and swept away homes.

Now, it’s the fire department that needs rescue after a devastating fire took everything Sunday night.

“A lot of people are pretty upset. My firefighters are just devastated,” Twin Lakes fire Chief Mike Gilliam said.

looks at a long rebuild after the town’s volunteer fire department and everything in it burned.

“It’s even more disheartening today when you walk through and you see there’s just absolutely nothing savable,” he said.

A video from the Guthrie News Page shows Guthrie firefighters responding Sunday.

“Six trucks, a small ATV, a tractor and, of course, all the contents in the building. Their protective equipment, their office, their tools and other stuff like that are going to be a total loss,” Guthrie fire Chief Eric Harlow said.

“The problem is not that you lose a truck,” Gilliam added. “The problem is that we built most of the trucks, spent hours and hours and hours on the trucks and the fire station.”

Gilliam told KOCO 5 that his assistant fire chief suffered minor burns and a heart attack trying to save some equipment. The assistant fire chief was still in a hospital Monday afternoon.

According to Gilliam, nearby fire departments have offered equipment and help while they rebuild.

“We don’t have the money to ask our people here to fund our fire department again, so we’re just hoping that the Lord takes care of us,” Gilliam said.

Gilliam added they have some insurance, but it’s unlikely to cover the extent of their losses.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Twin Lakes Fire Department. Anyone who would like to donate can do so here.