Home destroyed by fire Monday

The home of Carlton and Diane Edwards was destroyed by a fire that occurred midday Monday and was not contained until later that evening. Edwards, who is a captain with the Alleghany County Sheriff's Department, was at work at the time of the fire. He said at the scene that he had built much of the home himself when he worked at a local sawmill, staying after work to cut out the timbers.

Edwards said that he suspected his Monitor heater as the cause, but the official reason for the fire had not been announced as of Tuesday at presstime. The fire was considered to be accidental.

Damage was heavy to the home, which was fully involved when firefighters arrived on the scene.