Structure Fires on the Rise in Lawrence and Neighboring Counties

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

Lawrence County has been seeing a rise in structure fires in the past few weeks, two have been near the Louisa East Elementary School within one week.

However, one family was able to escape on Deer Lick Road, Sunday afternoon, Aug. 24, when a delivery truck driver who was passing by their residence around 3 p.m. noticed the flames.

According to Louisa Fire Chief Eddie Preston, he then stopped and began knocking on the door of the home to see if anyone was inside.

Finally, Preston said Henry Wellman, owner of the home, came to the door and the delivery truck driver was able to tell him that his carport and back wall of his home was on fire.

LFD was dispatched to the scene and responded with two engines and one tanker. Fallsburg Fire Department also responded with a truck to assist with water shuttles.

Preston said there were no injuries and everyone made it out safely.

Another fire in Martin County occurred Friday, Aug. 22, that involved a residence.

Inez Fire Rescue was dispatched to a home located on Thickety Fork. When they arrived on scene they found a single-family home, well involved in fire, with an exposure nearby.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the exposure, keeping the fire from spreading further. Inez Fire Rescue responded Engine 22 and Tanker 21, along with six personnel. Warfield VFD and Pigeon Roost VFD were both on scene to assist.