Because of the severe dry weather, the Luverne Volunteer Fire Department has responded to several brush fire calls within the past few weeks, according to LVFD Assistant Fire Chief William Neal.

Neal presented the report to the Luverne City Council at its regular Monday meeting.

The Luverne VFD, on April 27, responded to an incident on Dawson Street when an 85-year-old female lost control of her car in her yard and knocked down her carport, ran into her home and tore the natural gas meter off the underground pipe. Neal reported that this had started a large gas leak, but the LVFD secured the area and cut off the gas without any injuries.

Also, the LVFD responded to a mutual aid request from the Rutledge VFD on May 7, to a house fire located on Ivey Creek Church Road. According to the report, the repossessed home was deliberately set on fire by its owner.

Fire Chief Bill McManigle and the LVFD received a letter of commendation and thanks from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on May 10 after the Luverne Fire Department, along with Rutledge, Glenwood and Brantley fire departments, sent pumper trucks to the Crenshaw County Lake because the oxygen levels had dropped to a dangerously low level. Neal reported that this lack of oxygen could have caused a large number of fish to die, causing the lake to be closed in order to be restocked. However, all four units pumped for several hours re-circulating the water, and raising the oxygen levels. The State of Alabama had agreed to reimburse the City for the diesel fuel costs.

Neal also reported that the Luverne VFD was in the process of painting and renovating the inside of the fire station and expected to be finished by August 1.