CUBA, Ky. — A fire caused significant damage to the Cuba Community Volunteer Fire Department’s main station on Aug. 13.
The department described the loss as heartbreaking as crews dealt with a structure fire at their own facility, WPSD reported.
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Fire Captain Joseph Siedel said he was home when the alert came through, leaving him in disbelief.
“When I realized it was our department, I left as soon as I could,” Siedel said. “This place is like your baby. It’s your life. It’s a secondary home. You’ve been here with your family building trust in a career.”
Despite a heat index above 100 degrees, crews were able to save most of the department’s equipment.
Siedel said the kitchen, chief’s office and communications office were destroyed, while the training room and electrical system also sustained extensive damage.
He said it remains unclear whether the station can be repaired or will need to be rebuilt. An insurance surveyor will assess the building, which is currently uninhabitable.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
