Watkins fire truck overturns going to Burdett

BURDETT--The Watkins Glen Fire Department responded to a mutual aid call from the Burdett Fire Department for a barn fire on Dolphsburg Road Tuesday evening, Nov. 27.
Flames were coming through the barn roof and the request was for a tanker with manpower to the scene. Fire officials said manpower with the tanker responded immediately.
Watkins Chief Charlie Smith III said, "The engine traveled State Route 79 and made a turn on to County Road 9. Due to diminished visibility caused by the weather the engine was unable to successfully navigate the road. As a result, the truck went into the ditch and tipped over onto its side. The operator of the engine at the time of the accident is a 35+ year veteran of the WGFD. There were four crew members inside the vehicle at the time of the accident. All crew members were assisted out of the vehicle by the Montour Falls Fire Dept."
"The Schuyler County Ambulance crew assessed all occupants of the vehicle and were all determined to be unharmed and released," according to the statement.
"The truck was inspected by the New York State Police. The scene was investigated by Schuyler County Sheriff's Department. The truck was recovered by B&W towing," Smith reported.
Keith Caslin, from the Burdett Fire Department, said in a follow-up email after the accident, "Luckily there were no injuries. We the chiefs and members of the Burdett Fire Department standby these firefighters, men and women shoulder to shoulder during this time. We would ask that the community of Schuyler County continue to support your local fire departments that are made up of trained and qualified volunteers who protect and serve the residents of Schuyler County every day. We as a volunteer service stand together in unity.
"Thank you to all, of the mutual aid departments for your support. Past, present, and future. We would not be successful without you."