By FireRescue1 Staff
BUCHANAN DAM, Texas — A fire department lost nearly $40,000 in stolen and damaged equipment when their station was broken into last Friday.
“They literally took everything: coats, bags, jackets,” firefighter Tommy Phillips said. “They went through all the vehicles. They pulled everything off the racks and put it on the floor.”
A brand-new dash camera was also stolen, reported KVUE. According to Buchanan Dam Fire Chief Mark Hutson, the station’s air compressor system was seriously damaged.
Officials said community members drove by the station the following morning and saw the front doors were open, reported the DailyTrib.com.
“For someone to come in and steal something, this is not our money, this is the community’s money,” Phillips said. “We don’t get paid. We’re doing this on our own free will.”
Members of the community had come forward and made donations to the department. However, Chief Hutson said it will be at least two or three months before the department can properly run again. A GoFundMe has been created to help the department cope with the damage and stolen items.
Authorities are investigating the break-in.