Eglin firemen fight blaze at Army Ranger Camp Published Oct. 19, 2005 By Lois Walsh 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFMCNS) -- A lot of memories went up in smoke during a three-alarm fire at Eglin Air Force Base's Army Ranger Camp October 4. Camp Rudder, which hosts the final phase of Army Ranger training, is located here because of its rugged outdoor environment. At Eglin since 1951, the camp is one of Eglin's oldest major units. The fire demolished the building which housed the Army Air Force Exchange Service shoppette, barber shop and the Gator Lounge. The fire raged for more than two hours after the initial call to emergency services at 7 a.m. No one was hurt during the blaze. According to Eglin Fire Chief Paul Hawkins, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, an AAFES employee smelled smoke as did a firefighter who was reporting to work. Initially, both thought it was residual smoke from a wildfire the previous evening. They both realized that wasn't the case as the old, wooden frame structure filled with smoke. Sergeant Charles Bartell, a medic with the Ranger cadre, said the Gator Lounge recently underwent a major self-help renovation. The lounge was a popular hang-out for staff and students, especially after completion of the grueling final phase of the Ranger course. Sergeant Bartell said many former Rangers donated personal momentos to the lounge. "There's a lot of Ranger memories in there and they can't be replaced," the sergeant said. "If students don't remember anything else about training, they remember the Gator Lounge." The cause of the fire was not immediately known and is currently under investigation.