LOW WATER PRESSURE IMPEDES JACKSON FIREFIGHTING EFFORT

JACKSON -- Jackson city officials said a lack of water pressure due to fast growth hampered firefighters' efforts Wednesday night in battling a blaze at the McDonald's restaurant, 2220 E. Highway 61.

Firefighters had trouble fighting the fire because they weren't getting enough water pressure for their hoses.

"We've got some improvements to make," City Administrator Steve Wilson said. "Our first priority is public safety. A priority also is water pressure."

Wilson said the city is putting in new water lines and constructing a water tower near Interstate 55. He said water pressure is low because of Jackson's rapid growth. The water tower and lines should be operating by late summer or fall, he said.

Fire destroyed the restaurant. Officials said the fire started after a gasoline can and a leaf blower were placed in a room with a gas water heater. Officials believe the gasoline fumes were ignited by the water heater's pilot flame.

"There's a requirement about how many gallons per minute we need to put out a fire," Jackson Fire Chief Gary Niswonger said. "We weren't getting that requirement."

Niswonger said the hose nozzles his department uses didn't perform to standards because of the low water pressure.

"The flow just wasn't there," he said.

Niswonger said city officials were aware of the water-pressure problem Thursday morning. They are considering water pressure a priority for efficient firefighting, he said.

In addition to the low water pressure causing problems, Niswonger said Wednesday night's wind fanned the flames. He said the wind was blowing in a direction that encouraged the fire to spread quickly.

"When you take the pressure, wind, and the fuel load, or the construction of the building, they're all contributing factors to this fire," he said.