Over 600 Emergency Calls Reported This Weekend

The Rutherford County Emergency Communications Center handled 610 total calls over 48 hours, according to a report received at 3:19 a.m. on March 9. 

Officials said the calls included 75 emergency medical services calls.

Dispatchers also recorded 407 total law enforcement calls during the reporting period. The breakdown included 203 calls for the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, 63 calls for the Forest City Police Department, 48 calls for the Rutherfordton Police Department and 93 calls for the Spindale Police Department. Officials said no law enforcement calls were reported for the Lake Lure Police Department during the period.

Fire departments responded to several incidents across the county. The Green Hill Fire Department and Shingle Hollow Fire Department each handled brush fires. The Rutherfordton Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire and two motor vehicle collisions.

The Sandy Mush Fire Department also responded to a structure fire, with assistance from the Forest City Fire Department, Shiloh-Danieltown-Oakland (SDO) Fire Department, and Cliffside Fire Department.

Separately, the SDO Fire Department reported responding to a woods fire on W.V. Thompson Road that burned approximately 25 to 30 acres. Fire officials said the blaze is now contained, though one structure was lost. Crews are expected to continue monitoring the area over the next several days, and officials said residents may notice lingering smoke during that time. 

SDO fire officials thanked several agencies for assisting with the response, including the Sandy Mush Fire Department, Cliffside Fire Department, Green Creek Fire Department, Rutherford County Emergency Management, the North Carolina Forest Service, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and the Rutherford County Emergency Communications Center.

County emergency communications officials also reported a motor vehicle collision in Ellenboro during the reporting period.