NATCHEZ &045;&045; Two air conditioners, one heater and over 50 years of memories were the only things left to be moved from Fire Station No. 4 on Liberty Park Road Friday afternoon.

After half a century of keeping watch over the businesses and houses in south Natchez and Adams County, the small brick fire station finally closed its doors to make way for a new interchange to be built at the Liberty Road and Seargent Prentiss Drive.

And while it wasn’t an official sendoff for the old station, several firefighters stood in the empty truck bay recalling their individual connections to the building.

&uot;It was paradise around here,&uot; said David Freeman who has been the captain of the station since October 1994.

As he recalled his time at the station, Freeman talked about the things he most liked about the station &045;&045; the fact that it was a small and busy station with &uot;a variety of runs.&uot;

Natchez fire chief Paul Johnson, who worked at the station in the mid-80s, agreed.

&uot;If you like fighting fires and action, this was the place to be,&uot; Johnson said.

Because the station had the department’s rescue unit with the &uot;Jaws of Life,&uot; the firefighters of station four covered most rescue operations in the county.

&uot;It was an important station to the community,&uot; Captain Aaron Wesley said as they were leaving the station for the last time Friday.

A new fire station is being built on Wood Avenue to replace Station No. 4.

According to Johnson the plans for the new station are under review by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. As soon as the plans are approved bids will be taken and construction should begin. Construction is expected to last at least six months, Johnson said.

Until then the firetruck, rescue truck and nine firefighters of Station No. 4 will be stationed at the Central Station on Main Street, Johnson said Friday.