Published: July 16, 2008 05:13 pm            

Fire ravages local home

Firefighters’ quick response limits damage

A local woman’s home was badly damaged by a recent fire, according to Lafayette County Volunteer Fire Department reports.

The LCVFD was dispatched to a fire at the home of Irene Hunter, at 368 SE Lakeshore Blvd. on Picket Lake last month. When units from LCVFD and Mayo Volunteer Fire Department arrived, the second story of the house appeared to be fully involved, reports indicate.

Firefighters from the Lafayette County and Mayo departments made entry at the east end of the home and were able to bring the fire under control in a matter of minutes. The homeowner told investigators “that she had left an electric skillet full of frying oil turned on while visiting with a neighbor downstairs,” according to reports. She was alerted to the fire and reportedly tried to smother it but failed and called for help.

An investigation by the state fire marshal’s office found that the electric skillet was the cause of the fire, which was ruled accidental. The report also noted that the kitchen and family room were a total loss due to fire damage, and that the bathroom and both bedrooms sustained major damage from heat and smoke.

The first floor of the home received only minor water damage.

“Due to the 11-mile drive to get to the fire, we were lucky that the fire had not spread to any other parts of the house, and that enabled us to bring the fire under control as quick as we did,” said LCFD Assistant Chief James Ward.

LCFD Chief William Robinson Jr., said he would like to thank the Mayo VFD, Hatch Bend Volunteer Fire Department and the Branford Fire Department for their rapid response and assistance at the scene.

        

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