West Virginia Volunteer Fire Department Shut Down Until Insurance Paid

The West Virginia towns of Montgomery and Boomer are providing fire protection for Smithers after the town’s volunteer fire department was shut down.

WSAZ-TV reports that the Smithers Volunteer Fire Department fell behind in its insurance payments and was closed Saturday.

Mayor Thomas Skaggs says residents will be protected by the other towns’ fire departments and they should remain calm.

But resident David Spaulding says the other departments will be stretched thin and won’t be able to respond to every call.

Smithers firefighters declined to comment.