The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / News / Bonfire accidently brings out fire department

Bonfire accidently brings out fire department

August 31, 2012 by Melany Cox

A bonfire started at Lake Ft. Phantom by eight ACU sophomores the evening of Aug. 19 was interrupted by the sudden arrival of two fire trucks.

Meigan Gardner and Eric Schinske were two of the eight sophomores present during the bonfire.

“Basically we all just went out to hang out and catch up about our summers,” said Gardner, Ad/PR major from Atlanta, GA.

“We just got some wood and went out to the boat ramp out past Wal-mart and started a bonfire,” said Schinske, social work major from Argyle.

Gardner said she went to the lake with friends she had made during her freshman year. They came back to Abilene to help with Welcome Week and wanted to spend some time together before starting the new school year. She said they started the bonfire around 11 p.m.

Schinske said the fire had been burning for almost 40 minutes when the Abilene Fire Dept. drove up.

“We just saw the lights and were kind of confused,” he said.

The firemen got out of the trucks and asked the students if they knew Taylor County was under a burn ban. Because the students just returned to Abilene, some from out of state, they said they were unaware of the burn ban.

According to the Texas Forest Service, there are guidelines for outdoor burning. When a burn ban is in effect all outdoor burning is banned. The burn ban for Taylor County was issued in early July.

The firemen said someone from across the lake had seen the fire and called the fire department. They told the students they were not in trouble, but the firemen did put out the bonfire.

Schinske said they had bonfires at the lake frequently last year and they just wanted to “kick off the year.” He said the firemen were nice about the event and even took pictures with the students.

Gardner said the firemen were laughing with the students and asked where they were from.

“They were really cool about it,” she said.

Filed Under: News

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

  • ACU Gives exceeds goal, raises over $919,000

About Melany Cox

You are here: Home / News / Bonfire accidently brings out fire department

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

  • ACU Gives exceeds goal, raises over $919,000

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Mar

Sing Song 2025 Awards Women’s Division:

Vocals:
1. Ko Jo Kai
2. Sigma Theta Chi
3. Delta Theta

Entertainment:
1. Sigma Theta Chi
2. Ko Jo Kai
3. Delta Theta

Note: An earlier post included a spelling error, so we have since updated it for accuracy.

Reply on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Retweet on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Like on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Twitter 1906348770293317827
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Mar

Sing Song 2025 Awards Class Division:

Overall Award:
1. Freshman Purple
2. Freshman White
3. Seniors

Reply on Twitter 1906188185371034000 Retweet on Twitter 1906188185371034000 Like on Twitter 1906188185371034000 3 Twitter 1906188185371034000

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

11 months ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 years ago

The Optimist
"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

1
2
3
4
5
PrevNext
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved