MAGOFFIN COUNTY – Two fires over the holiday weekend destroyed local homes.
The first of the two fires occurred Friday evening, November 24, at the mouth of Jellico on Flat Fork.
North Magoffin Volunteer Fire Department Chief Josh Jenkins told Mortimer Media Group that when his crews arrived, the structure was completely engulfed in flames. They later talked to the resident, who left the home, going to a neighbor’s for a brief period of time, and, in doing so, confirmed he had left the clothes dryer on and running.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, saving a portion of the structure – a bedroom area – and able to make entry and determined the fire started at or around the clothes dryer, but there was a heat source in the same room.
The home was destroyed except for the one end the fire department was able to save. Several hours later the fire rekindled, and when the fire department responded the second time the home was completely destroyed.
No injuries were reported, about approximately 6,000 gallons of water was used by NMVFD to extinguish the fire.
The second of the two fires occurred on Saturday, November 25, on South River Road.
District 3 Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tanner Stephens told Mortimer Media Group this fire looked like it started in the kitchen area and they were able to put out the fire before it spread to the rest of the home. No one was at home when the fire started, but when fire crews arrived one of the residents was fighting the fire with a water hose, holding the fire bay until the fire department arrived and was able to put more water on the structure.
Fire damage was confined mostly to the kitchen area of the home, however, smoke and water damage was sustained throughout most of the structure.
No injuries were reported at that fire, as well. Fire crews tell Mortimer Media Group the home was a total loss.
