AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) -- Extreme cold weather makes firefighters job's even more hazardous.
The fire at Red Roof Inn in Staunton on Friday morning left them to battle the elements, according to Augusta County Fire and Rescue Chief Carson Holloway.
"There was some extreme hazards, but safety. The guys kept safety forefront. That's part of their training," said Holloway.
Part of their training is learning situational awareness so they can adapt to the conditions they are fighting.
As they fought the fire with water, it froze immediately, leaving the area in a state of fire and ice.
Chief Holloway described the situation as "quite unique."
Although firefighters are prepared to face the hot flames, it's difficult for them to keep warm in the extreme cold, because of the way their uniforms are designed.
"It does give you some warmth, but once it gets wet, it be comes heavy. Ice, ice will actually form on helmets," said Holloway.
They take precautions to protect themselves.
For the fire at the Red Roof Inn, firefighters set a safe area in a safe section of the hotel to keep them warm and protect them from the extreme cold.
"We brought our incoming companies to that, used it as a staging area and as they came out, we tried to get the guys and gals into that room to at least warm up a little bit," said Holloway.
After each task personnel is checked on and sent to the rehab to warm up.
The cause of Friday morning's fire at Red Roof Inn remains under investigation.
