The Wilson’s Mills Fire Department had a difficult time reaching the scene of a fire Tuesday night.
Two men who had set up camp deep in a wooded area between the 2200 block of Powhatan Road and the railroad tracks accidentally set their campsite on fire. The blaze burned an old minivan and then spread to the surrounding woods.
To make matters worse, the callers could not tell 911 dispatchers their exact location.
When crews were able to locate the men and the fire, they were unable to access the site because it was surrounded by woods. Crews used axes, shovels and flappers, plus all the fire extinguishers available to control the fire.
The NC Forestry Service was called to the scene to assist. Wilson’s Mills Police and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
The two campers, who were not identified, lost all of their belongings.
Photos by John Payne
