Published: September 23, 2009 08:48 am      

Trailers trashed

Local homes catch fire Tuesday

By Adam Sulfridge / Staff Writer

Around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, fire destroyed a trailer in the Highland Park community of Williamsburg.

Williamsburg Fire Department Assistant Chief Kevin Smith said firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames billowing out of the small trailer. The fire likely started in a central bedroom, he said, pointing to markings on the outside of the trailer which indicate the hottest points of the fire. “It took us two to three minutes to knock it out,” Smith added. “It’s a loss; the repair cost would likely exceed the home’s worth.” Generally speaking, Smith explained that trailers burn quickly. He said that within seven to 14 minutes, a trailer can be burnt to the point of collapse. No one was injured in the fire.

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Firefighters responded to a trailer fire in Rockholds after 9 a.m. Tuesday morning where initial reports were that a person was still inside the home. Fortunately, when Woodbine and Rockholds volunteer firemen arrived at 1477 Tyes Ferry Road in Rockholds, there was no one inside. 

Rockholds Fire Chief Charles Walker said the initial call was for a fire on Meadow Creek Road, but two Woodbine firefighters responding spotted smoke coming from the trailer on Tyes Ferry. 

Many years ago, Walker said, Tyes Ferry was known as Meadow Creek, which could count for the confusion. 

The fire appeared to have started near a hot water tank, but firefighters haven’t determined a cause. The owners of the trailer were not home as officials responded.