City fire leaves three homeless [Cumberland Times-News, Md.]
By Jeffrey Alderton, Cumberland Times-News, Md. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Four city firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Twenty-one city firefighters and numerous volunteer fire departments, under the direction of City Fire Capt.
"I ran back inside and got my husband up. Bobby ran up and pounded on Doris and John's door and told them they had to get out now. The fire was that close.
"They got their teenage granddaughter and they all got out. There was an electrical line down and the sparks were flying," said Taylor.
"It was totally involved in fire when we got there. A second residence was burning and the fire had extended into the attic and we had fire burning on the ground that was heading toward
Adams said the Melvin's granddaughter was descending the steps of her family's residence when the raging fire's heat burst a second-floor window.
"The fire was closing in on her," said Adams.
By mid-afternoon, Adams had completed his cause-and-origin investigation.
"The fire was caused by an overheated extension cord where power tools were plugged in. It caught the ceiling joists on fire in the basement," he said.
The fire destroyed the unoccupied dwelling at
At 577 Cromwell, the fire caused extensive damages estimated at
In addition, heat from the fire melted siding of a residence at
Adams said the Melvin property was insured. Aregay had no insurance on his properties.
"The house where the fire began was real old and nobody has been in it for 10 to 15 years. Fish (Aregay) was fixing it up. He was working awful hard on it to improve the neighborhood," said Taylor, who has lived on the street for four decades.
Adams said neighbors and an officer of the
Taylor commended the firefighters.
"I thought the firefighters responded really well. The water pressure wasn't good. We live on a hill. But they did a really good job and were on the ball. They got everything under control. They did a wonderful job.
"I wouldn't want to be a fireman. They prevented the fire from spreading and there is hardly any space between the houses. I thought they did a great job," she said.
The victims were being assisted by the
"We are helping the family with basic needs, sheltering through hotel assistance and with food and clothing," said
Numerous volunteer companies responded to the scene, including
The response included volunteers standing by at the
All fire units cleared the scene by
"It was awful," said Taylor. "Luckily no people and no animals were hurt."
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