Volunteer firefighters responded to a house fire at 783 Dogwood Road in the Patrick Springs area on Wednesday, January 3.
Patrick Springs Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Clint Weidhaas said crews were dispatched to a working house fire at 11:07 p.m.
“Upon engine 23’s arrival with a crew of five we found a single-story wood frame home with a basement with fire in two rooms of the front of the home,” he said.
Weidhaas said a single female occupant was at home at the time of the fire. She was able to get out safely. There was also a report of a dog trapped inside the home.
“Engine 23 split their crew, and two members made a fire attack while two other members simultaneously searched the residence for the missing pet. That pet was not located and was not inside the residence,” he said.
The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes with the use of only one attack line, Weidhaas said. Volunteers used about 400 gallons of water to extinguish the fire.
“Two rooms of the residence sustained fire damage while the remainder of the residence was damaged heavily by smoke and soot,” he said.
Weidhaas believes the fire was started by an improperly used propane space heater that was sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor which was hooked to a cooking grill propane-type cylinder.
The homeowner did not have insurance on the home, he said, adding he estimated there was at least $50,000 of damage to the home.
“Because of their (Patrick Springs’s) recent aggressive training and quick response to calls we were able to bring this fire under control quickly,” he said.
Weidhaas said Patrick Springs responded with 13 people, Stuart Volunteer Fire Department was the second due fire company and arrived on the scene with an engine, a ladder truck, and a crew of seven.
Moorefield Store Volunteer Fire Department and Patrick Henry Volunteer Fire Department also responded with personnel and apparatus for water supply.
Jeb Stuart Volunteer Rescue Squad and Station 8 provided ambulances at the scene.
