New Home Destroyed By Fire

On July 11, 1972 at 4:11 a.m. units were alerted to a house fire near Legislative Route 21006 and Southampton Cumberland Route 302 (Cherry Grove area between Cleversburg and Mainsville). When the first arriving chiefs arrived the one story frame house was well involved. Firemen used portable pumps to obtain water from a nearby stream but they were unable to save the structure. Two Vigilant firemen were injured during the incident, Ted Wise was overcome by smoke and Assistant Chief Gerald Holtry suffered first and second degree burns to his neck. A cause was not reported; damages were estimated at $32,000. Units from three companies battled the blaze and remained on the scene until 7:18 a.m. The Vigilant Hose Company stations 1 & 2 and the West End Fire and Rescue Company answered the alarm.