The Grandridge Road home of Ernest LaRue was destroyed by fire on April 26. Two volunteer fire departments battled the blaze for about four-and-a-half hours.

Grandridge home destroyed by fire

A house and three vehicles in the driveway of a Grandridge Road residence in Sparta sustained about $75,000 in damage during an April 26 structure fire, according to Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department Chief Terry McGrady.

The home was owned by Ernest LaRue. The cause of the fire remained unknown on Monday afternoon, due to the severity of the fire. He noted when he arrived on the scene of the blaze, "It was burnt so bad, an origin could not be determined," he said.

The call came in about 3:15 p.m. and volunteer firemen remained on the scene for four-and-a-half hours.

The Sparta-Alleghany department responded with three trucks and 21 members and was assisted by the Cherry Lane Volunteer Fire Department, which responded with two trucks and 15 members.

Members of the Alleghany Rescue Squad, Alleghany Emergency Medical Services, Sparta Police Department and the Alleghany Sheriff's Department also responded.

The owner of the house was not home at the time of the fire and according to McGrady, no injuries were sustained by firemen.

The home had partially collapsed after firemen battled the blaze for only a short period of time.

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