Two houses were destroyed in house fires last week – one in the Ararat area and another in the county line area.
The first fire occurred on January 23 at 2018 Homeplace Road with the call coming in at 2:18 p.m.
Patrick Springs Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Clint Weidhaas said Ararat Volunteer Fire Department, Patrick Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Stuart Volunteer Fire Department, and CCDF Volunteer Department were alerted of the working house fire.
“The home was fully involved upon Ararat’s arrival. Fire crews were on scene for about three and a half hours due to clutter conditions in the residence,” he said.
Weidhaas said the house trailer was a total loss. An elderly man, who had no phone, lived at the residence.
“He had no phone, so he drove from his home on Homeplace to Ararat Grocery. He went there to report that his house was on fire. I think that’s what allowed the fire to get so big in the amount of time,” he said.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Ararat responded with two apparatus and four personnel, Patrick Springs responded with one apparatus and three personnel, and Stuart responded with four personnel and one apparatus.
Fire crews were also requested from Four Way Volunteer Fire Department and Bannertown Volunteer Fire Department in North Carolina.
Another house fire occurred at 83 Candyland Road on January 24.
The call came in at 12:43 p.m. with Patrick Henry Volunteer Fire Department, Patrick Springs, Fairystone Volunteer Fire Department, Bassett Volunteer Fire Department, and Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department being dispatched.
“When Patrick Henry arrived on scene, they were met with heavy fire conditions in a one-story, wood-frame home,” he said.
Weidhaas said the home was completely gutted and the occupants were completely displaced.
Patrick Henry had four personnel on scene and Patrick Springs responded with five personnel.
