Multiple agencies respond to fire; motorists reminded to obey Scott’s Law

Deb Robinson, Canton Daily Ledger
·2 min read

MARIETTA—Friday, Smithfield Fire Department responded to E. IL 95 Hwy, 1829, Marietta for a fully engulfed house fire.

Mutual aid was requested from Cuba, Lewistown, Buckheart, Ipava Fire Departments and Cass-Putman Rescue.

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Additionally, Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted as IL Rt. 95 was closed to traffic. There weren’t any fire hydrants in the rural area so a portable water tank was set up.

Due to excessive ice forming from the fire trucks, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) spread salt on the highway.

Spoon River Electric was on hand for the call to turn the power off.

The cause of the fire has yet to be released.

Motorists reminded to obey Scott’s Law

While firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, someone drove through the active emergency scene despite a deputy and numerous pieces of equipment blocking the roadway.

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While driving through the area, the driver accelerated to approximately 55 m.p.h. violating Scott’s Law.

Cass-Putman Rescue Chief, Bobby Schnarr said a deputy at the scene caught up with the driver and conducted a traffic stop, “When he drove through the scene he was within one foot of myself and another first responder. We have also encountered people not pulling over or slowing down when we are responding to an emergency. People don’t realize that we may be responding for one of their own family members and seconds can be the difference between life and death.”

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Scott’s law is intended to protect emergency personnel from motorists at emergency scenes and is named after Chicago Fire Lt., Scott Gillen who was was struck and killed in late 2000 while responding to a traffic accident.

This article originally appeared on Canton Daily Ledger: Marietta fire Friday, motorist violates Scott's Law