By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Neighbors and passing motorists on Interstate 5 can expect to see smoke and fire engines tomorrow when a shuttered nursing home on Long Road in Centralia is burned down.
Riverside Fire Authority will conduct live fire training exercises at the structure on the 1000 block of Long Road, the former home of Evergreen Centralia Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Traffic will be detoured from Long Road onto South Street during the training, according to Fire Chief Jim Walkowski.
Evergreen was home to some 40 individuals when the December 2007 flood forced their evacuation. It’s owners donated the one-story structure to the city, which in turn offered it to the fire department. It will be demolished afterward, according to Walkowski.
The chief said in a news release he is especially appreciative of getting a commercial building to practice with, as firefighters can gain the kind of experiences they cannot with a residential structure.
Some 30 personnel are expected to take part.
The exercises will take place from between approximately 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter