HOUSTON - The fire that destroyed Friendship Church in the Thorn community was just one of many that kept the Houston Fire Department and county volunteers busy to begin 2010.

"The county pumpers have had the wheels run off of them the past couple of week," said Houston fireman Mitchell Slaughter.

On Jan., 2, the HFD responded to a two car accident that left one vehicle in flames. One driver was transported for medical care by no major injuries or fatalities were reported.

A fire at Traceview east of Houston destroyed a horse barn on Jan. 3. No horses were present in the facility at the time. Houston and Thorn fire departments responded to the blaze.

On Jan. 4, the Woodland Fire Department responded to an early morning fire at a mobile home with Houston VFD assisting. No injuries were reported.

Rhodes Chapel VFD responded to a house fire on Bellfountaine Road on Jan. 8 with Houston VFD assisting. The fire was contained to the utility room and no injuries were reported. Later that day, a one car motor vehicle accident on Hwy. 8 was called in with Southeast Chickasaw VFD and Houston VFD responding. No injuries were reported.

Although Houston has six full-time firefighters, the county is protected through the services of volunteer firefighters who work fires, medical calls and accidents. Many of the volunteer units respond out of their direct service area to assist other units.

"It's not just we did this or they did that," said volunteer Bruce Burkeen. "We all combine to work as a team for the whole county."