By Chico Enterprise-Record Staff
Chico Enterprise-Record
Copyright 2007 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
All Rights Reserved
CHICO, Calif. — Cal Fire-Butte County crews resumed 24-hour staffing Monday of Nord Fire Station 41, on Highway 99 north of Garner Lane.
The proliferation of rats and mice inside the firehouse became a concern six days ago, and it was only staffed in the daytime, while remodeling and extermination efforts were done at night.
Firefighters that would normally have staffed the station overnight were dispatched out of a Cal Fire station in north Chico.
Battalion Chief Greg McFadden said rodents had gotten into the walls, subfloor and kitchen cabinets of the fire station, creating a health hazard to personnel that had to be addressed.
Following completion of the remodel, the station was scoured by an industrial cleaning service. Pest control measures will also be used to control future problems.
The fire station is surrounded by orchards and fields, which attract rodents.
Fire department personnel were given approval by health inspectors to reoccupy the building on Monday.