Efficient firefighting and a neighboring pond may have spared a Stephen Road home in southern Highland County from flames that destroyed a workshop late Monday afternoon.
Southern Highland Fire District Chief Kevin Mosely said his department in Mowrystown received a call of a fire at 2771 Stephen Road in Concord Township at 4:28 p.m. Monday.
Upon arrival at the scene, which Mosely described as about 2,000 off the road, the workshop was almost fully engulfed in flames, a lot of propane tanks and compressed cylinders were exploding, and flames were melting the siding on one side of the home that was around 12 to 14 feet from the workshop.
Mosely said the cause of the fire is being investigated by the state fire marshal’s office, but that he suspects it started on the south side of the workshop where the fire damage was more intense. He said the home owner, Carl Stone, was doing some welding in the workshop, went in the house, and later discovered the fire.
“I can’t say that’s the cause because there really is nowhere to start because of the damage, other than it was likely the south side due to the amount of damage on that side as opposed to the north side,” Mosely said.
He said there were no walls or windows still standing on the south side, but on the north side the walls and windows were charred but still there.
The home was intact, Mosely said, except for most of the siding being melted off the side nearest the workshop.
There was a neighboring pond that firefighters drew water from to help contain the flames, Mosely said.
“I’m pleased with the fact that being that far off the road, we maintained a water supply, with help from other departments, and never ran out,” the fire chief said. “Everything went as well as it possibly could being that far off the road.”
No injuries were reported.
The Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District along with fire departments from Winchester, Wayne Township in Adams County, Lynchburg and Marshall provided mutual aid.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522.
