Training exercises continue at home where Somer Thompson was killed

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Orange Park Fire Chief Ty Silcox watched Wednesday night as his crew searched for victims inside a killer's home.
 
The crew is training for the danger they encounter every day. They rarely get the chance to practice in a real home, so the training is valuable.
 
But the chief knows there's more to it than that.
 
"Hopefully when this is done, there will be a closure and healing for the community," Silcox said.

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Seven-year-old Somer Thompson was killed inside the home now being used for training on Gano Avenue. 
 
Jarred Harrell lived at the home. He pleaded guilty to Somer's murder and is serving six life sentences.
 
The house now belongs to Somer's mother, Diena, and the Somer Thompson Foundation.
 
Diena gave the home to the Orange Park Fire Department so its crews can practice saving lives.

"What better thing to do than to destroy it and let people train to save other people's lives," Diena Thompson said.
 
Firefighters will continue their training Thursday and will burn the house down.

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