Apology For Misunderstanding
1/3/2012 by BY MIMI BROWN
The Teague and Dew Fire Departments have voiced their disappointment in the recent article I wrote concerning the horrible, tragic fire in Teague on Christmas Day.
I want to apologize for the particular sentence that I wrote which upset some people in the fire department that I dearly love and respect.
The part of last week's article on the fire in The Teague Chronicle, which stated, ?The Teague Volunteer Fire Department arrived quickly but not in time to save the son,? was in no way meant to imply that the firefighters could have arrived any faster than they did or that the child's death could have been prevented.
As in so many tragedies, the authorities will refuse to give information to the press. On Tuesday morning, December 27, 2011, I was calling everyone who had anything to do with this fire in order to get the accurate story to the public by our deadline at noon. No one would tell me anything at all.
I spoke to Teague fireman Bryan Teer who tried to get permission to give me information but he called me back and said that no one in the fire department was allowed to talk to anyone, inclucign the press, until the Fire Marshall's office had finished their investigation.
Finally, I was able to speak with a representative of the family who was with the grandmother and was able to get a few questions answered but very few, as I didn't want to put the grandmother through more than she already had to bear.
I turned my focus in the article to letting the public know how to help the Williams family with donation information. It was the only thing I could do to help this grieving family before the front page of The Chronicle had to be sent to the printer.
I was asked by Captain Missildine of the Dew Fire Department why I didn't, at least, say that they saved the daughter. I would have loved to say that, but no one would verify anything that took place and we cannot print unsubstantiated information.
Although, I greatly respect the men and women in all fire departments, I believe Teague has one of the greatest fire departments anywhere. They have the heart of Lions, going into danger to save the people and property of our community.
I have written the majority of articles that have appeared in The Teague Chronicle about our fire department for the past seven years and have attended and covered every TVFD fundraiser and event. I love our fire department and would never intentionally disappoint them. The Teague Chronicle, itself, has always tried to spcifically promote the Teague firemen as well as other area firemen.
Thank you to every one at The Teague Volunteer Fire Department for the amazing job you do.