MOUNT ZION — Members of the Mount Zion fire department are used to early morning emergency calls.

What made the call early Saturday morning different was its location. It was the firehouse that was on fire.

“It’s unfortunate, but they even happen to the fire department,” Fire Chief Don Wright said.

The alarm calling firefighters into action came at 4:20 a.m. They arrived to find the ladder truck ablaze inside the building and smoke wafting from any openings. The fire eventually broke through the roof.

Wright said the heat was so intense that firefighters were prevented from getting to their equipment and could do little until help from neighboring departments arrived.

Long Creek Fire Protection District crews were the first to respond. Teaming up with the Mount Zion firefighters, they immediately began flooding the bay with water through the broken windows and an open door.

Wright said the fire was knocked down in about 20 minutes, but the damage was done.

The ladder truck was destroyed and the rear portion of the building, a fire engine, utility pick-up truck and command vehicle were severely damaged.