An afternoon fire on Nov. 4 gutted Justin and Melissa Montgomery’s Patrick Springs home. The fire was determined to be electrical in nature, authorities said. (Photos by Taylor Boyd)
Justin and Melissa Montgomery lost all of their belongings when a Nov. 4 afternoon blaze gutted at their mobile home in Patrick Springs, according to Eric O’Connell, of the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office.
The blaze was caused by an electrical issue, O’Connell said.
A Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) and a Special Agent with the Virginia State Police, Matthew Wade, was called to investigate the scene and determine the cause of the fire, O’Connell said.
The home, a house trailer on Ronald Street, was “still dripping” with water from firefighters’ efforts when Wade arrived at the scene, O’Connell said.
After conducting his investigation, Wade “made a 100 percent determination the fire was electrical in nature,” O’Connell said.
Twelve to 14 hours before that blaze, and in a “completely separate incident,” O’Connell said a small fire, involving “political memorabilia, political flags,” occurred at the Montgomery’s home. He added the small fire occurred at 1 a.m. on Nov. 4, at least 12 hours before the house fire. It was outside and is unrelated to the house fire, he added.
The earlier fire is “being investigated due to a suspicion of potential arson,” O’Connell said.
A Gofundme page was created to help the Montgomery family.
Donations may be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/justin-amp-melissa-lost-everything-in-a-fire?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf%20share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR0B2Dv7UuBzNgDaaULhG_JlwphmZFNzGOIh0hSD_KVLfJ24j00zf8yw8RY, according to online information.
“This is a developing story. Updates are expected later this afternoon.”
