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Fire leaves two homeless, kills two dogs
long county fire and rescue
The Long County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is based in Ludowici.

A mobile home fire on Zip Lane has left two adults displaced and two dog deceased.
According to Long County Fire Department Chief Chris Moss, units were dispatched to the home on the 100 block of Zip Lane Saturday shortly after 1:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, the home was estimated to have been 40 percent involved in flames.
Moss said heavy smoke and flames were coming from the front of the single wide mobile home.
Once the fire was extinguished, fire fighters discovered two deceased dogs. The occupants of the home were not home at the time.
Long State Prison, Walthourville Fire Department, Long County Sheriff’s Office, Ludowici Police Department and Excelsior Ambulance all responded. Red Cross has been notified.
The cause of the fire is under investigation

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3rd ID releases names of soldiers killed in training accident
butner mullen
Staff Sgt. Shelbe Butner and Spc. Jacob Mullen

The 3rd Infantry Division has identified the two soldiers who died in a single-vehicle accident January 30 during an exercise in the Fort Stewart training area.

The deceased are Staff Sgt. Shelbe Butner and Spc. Jacob Mullen, both motor transport operators. They were assigned to 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

“Our hearts are broken at this devastating loss,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, the 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, “Shelbe and Jacob were honored and highly respected Soldiers of the Marne Division, and our thoughts and prayers are with their Families and fellow Soldiers at this incredibly difficult time.”

Butner and Mullen were participating in a combat training exercise near Camp Oliver. While operating their Joint Light Tactical Vehicle under blackout conditions they rolled off a road into standing water. Soldiers from their unit responded to the accident and rendered first aid, to include performing CPR, until emergency services arrived. 

Evans County’s Claxton Fire Department, through a mutual aid agreement with the installation’s Fort Stewart Directorate of Emergency Services, arrived on scene within 20 minutes of receiving the emergency call. Fort Stewart Fire Emergency Services arrived shortly thereafter, along with Fort Stewart Military Police, Fort Stewart Conservation Law Enforcement, and Fort Stewart Emergency Medical Services. Additional mutual aid response was provided by Bryan County and Evans County first responders.

Butner, 28, a Missouri native, served in the Army for nine years. Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Assault Badge, and the Drill Sergeant Badge. 

Mullen, 25, a Maryland native, served in the Army for seven years and was previously deployed to Poland. His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

The U.S. Army’s Combat Readiness Center, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps are investigating the incident.

The division is providing resources to the families and soldiers to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of those who served with Butner and Mullen.

With multiple investigations underway, the Army is not releasing additional information at this time.

 

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