Fire damages Willard home

WILLARD — The Willard Fire Department responded to a structure fire June 12 on S. Main Street, and after fighting the fire wound up defending its response on social media. The fire was reported to the department at 3:55 p.m. with firefighters immediately dispatching personnel and equipment to the scene. According to Willard Fire Department Chief Joe Reiderman, the fire started in the garage and damaged the garage and parts of the house. "As far as damage, the garage was totaled, the house had heavy heat and smoke damage with flames getting into portions of the house," Reiderman said. One firefighter received a laceration to his hand from broken glass and was treated on scene, according to the chief. Another fire started to brew on social media with people reportedly posting "it took the department 15 or 20 minutes to arrive," causing the department to reply that reports of such a long delay were unfounded. The fire dispatch log confirms that the first unit was on scene at 4:03 p.m., a response time of just under eight and a half minutes. According to the dispatch log, GPS estimates the residence is a five-minute drive from the station. The crews stayed on scene battling the blaze for just over two and a half hours, clearing the scene at 6:35 p.m. The fire department invited anyone interested in joining the department to fill out an application available online at or in the fire station.