Ron Walker spent his life fighting fires and protecting other people’s homes and properties. He retired from the Volusia County Fire Department, and has been a Flagler County volunteer fireman, posted at Station 81 in Rima Ridge, a few block’s distance from his home.
Thursday afternoon he was out fishing. And his home burned.
By the time several companies of firefighters arrived–including Flagler County Fire Rescue, the Volusia County Fire Department and the Ormond Beach Fire Department–it was too late. The fire was fully involved, consuming the brick home at 180 Rodeo Road that Walker himself had built.
Walker stood by, with his wife and the couple’s dog, watching the structure burn, and watching firemen salvage what they could from it.
“It’s a total loss,” Flagler County Fire Chief Don Petito said, standing with Walker. Walker himself could not speak about his loss, only pointing one moment at a small cluster of belongings spread on a tarp. “That’s my pride and joy right there,” he said. Collecting on the tarp were his many fireman’s helmets from his various postings, some going back decades, a few statuettes, a few framed images. That was about all the firemen had been able to bring out of the burning house.
The cause of the fire is unknown. No one had been home when it started.
Only last December, Petito said, Walker had been involved in fighting a brush fire that burned very close to the property. You could still see singed pines and a few charred remnants at the edge of the yard.
Flagler County’s Station 81 is shared with Volusia County’s Station 18. Volusia County’s station is staffed by professional firefighters. Flagler’s is staffed by volunteers. Volusia is planning on ending its staffing at that station, which receives very few calls.
Cindy says
prayers go out to this fire fighter and his family. I know to well what it’s like to lose all your worldly possessions to a fire. God Bless
JS says
So sorry to hear this…. My heart goes out you Mr. Walker and his family… Thank you for all that you have done and still do.. I hope that our county will lend a helping hand to Ron and his family…
Such a shame says
I honestly can say, there are no words here.. Such a sad thing to have happen and the irony of it more so.
Fire scares me more than anything else i can think of. I’m just glad no one was there and all are safe. I am so sorry for your lost possesions. Especially your home made from your own hands.
Is there a fund?
Smiley says
I will pass your thoughts and prayers to Ron & Louise in the morning of Tuesday 3/25/13 I will be there
We are trying to get a Temp Electric Service Set up for him
Because right now they are living out of a 20 ft Camper loaned to them from one of the Volunteers Fire Fighters From Rima Ridge Jeff von Bretzel
using generators for power As soon as we can get them Temp Power Setup from FPL and AT&T to get a phone so they can have internet
The Rima Ridge Neighborhood watch Has been very helpful supplying Dinner everynight since the fire
Smiley says
We are trying to setup something which is hard Ron & Louise are proud and saying they are ok
I must tell you they lost everything come by and say Hi 3601 Eagle Walk Dr
I will pass your thoughts and prayers to Ron & Louise in the morning of Tuesday 3/25/13 I will be there
We are trying to get a Temp Electric Service Set up for him
Because right now they are living out of a 20 ft Camper loaned to them from one of the Volunteers Fire Fighters From Rima Ridge Jeff von Bretzel
using generators for power As soon as we can get them Temp Power Setup from FPL and AT&T to get a phone so they can have internet
The Rima Ridge Neighborhood watch Has been very helpful supplying Dinner everynight since the fire
a big THANKS GOES OUT TO VICKI KRESS who has the neighborhood bring the dinner meals