House of Central principal 'severely damaged' by fire

Firefighters battled a fire and the summer heat at a Liberty Park home on the morning of Monday, Aug. 10

The fire started around 8 a.m. in the 4300 block of Kings Mountain Ridge, at the home of Vestavia Hills Elementary School Central principal Marian Humphries.

When Vestavia Hills Fire Department arrived on scene, the fire was already far advanced, said Lt. Ryan Farrell. The situation got too dangerous for fire fighters to remain in the building, and they chose to take on a defensive stance, meaning the fire was fought from the exterior of the home.

“[The fire is] way more developed if you’re in a defensive type of operation,” Farrell said.

Cahaba Valley and Mountain Brook Fire Departments assisted in fighting the flames.

Farrell said while the heat did not affect how the fire progressed, it influenced how fire fighters could work.

“It affects us more than anything,” Farrell said. “It’s just our people wear out that much faster and we have to keep a close eye on them.”

The house was severely damaged by fire, smoke and water.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Humphries family," said Mayor Butch Zaragoza during Monday's city council meeting.