Firemen save house in the Vox community

Firefighters from Sparta and Glade Creek fire departments saved a house in the Vox community Saturday night, Dec. 2, after a blaze started in the chimney and spread into other parts of the structure, according to Sparta Fire Chief Terry McGrady.

McGrady said the home's owner, Gwyn Crouse, was at home when the fire broke out around a flue in the living of the home, which is located on Vox Road.

The fire most likely started as a result of creosote buildup in the chimney, McGrady noted.

McGrady said there was smoke damage all through the house as a result of the fire. "If you get a structure fire you're going to have a lot of smoke in the house."

Crouse called Alleghany County dispatch just before 8 p.m. to report the chimney fire. Crouse was not injured as a result of the fire.

McGrady said Sparta firemen were called to the scene at about 8 p.m. Saturday and were there fighting the blaze for about two and one-half hours.

McGrady said the fire spread from the chimney to the wood structure of the home on the first floor. The blaze then spread to the second floor of the two-story house and then into the attic.

The living room of the home and a bedroom above it, both in the rear of the structure, were the most heavily damaged rooms.

McGrady said damage was mainly to the back wall of the Crouse home. Once that wall is replaced, the house will be habitable, he said. Crouse did not have fire insurance to help cover the cost of repairing the home after the fire.

The blaze caused an estimated $10,000 to $12,000 in damage to the older frame home, McGrady said.

McGrady commented that the Sparta Fire Department sent 20 firemen and two trucks to the help contain the fire. Meanwhile, the Glade Creek Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene with about 10 personnel and two trucks. The Alleghany County Rescue Squad and EMS also assisted.

Roads became somewhat hazardous later that night as a light snow fell, but McGrady said road conditions were good at the time of the fire.
 
 

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