Argyle Fire Chief Becomes Fire Victim
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ARGYLE (CBS11) - A North Texas fire chief found himself on the other side of the fire line: he became a fire victim.
On Tuesday, Argyle's Fire Chief Mac Hohenberger returned home to find flames shooting from the back of his house. He called for help and firefighters were on the scene within minutes. He still wore his firefighting hat, but this time, the home was his.
"My three boys grew up in that house," said Chief Hohenberger, "I've been there 30 years." In spite of the countless times that he's consoled fire victims-- becoming one he admits, was different.
"You feel like you wake up and it's all going to be over with... your whole life has changed."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. It started in the back of the home in or near the master suite.
Family members lost all of their clothing and there is heavy smoke and water damage throughout. The roof is for the most part intact and the walls are still standing.
"Makes you proud-- makes me really proud--to see the guys fight like they did for my fire and know they'd do the same thing for the entire community, and knowing I've watched them grow into these firefighter roles, makes you very proud."
Still, decades spent on the other side of the fire line means he's also keeping the loss in perspective.
"To say that we lost everything? No. We lost possessions, not our lives...not anything that can't be replaced."
In fact, firefighters managed to contain the fire so quickly, that precious photos and memorabilia were recovered.
"Anytime we can save something, that means a lot," says Argyle firefighter Chris Muscle. "But, being as how it was the fire chief, there's emotions to that."
And one that the chief has found particularly helpful during the crisis? Humor.
"I've got one pair of pants left of my uniform," he shares with a big laugh, "and I just got this shirt out of the drier, and it's too d*** small!"
And then there's the deep gratitude for the community that's quickly mobilizing to help.
"I love them all. We totally totally appreciate everything that they're doing for us." The chief says the community has rushed to drop off food and drinks, others have offered them a place to stay and others want to help clear away debris. "When we get ready, a lot of people are going to come help me, I can tell that..."
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