Fire Friday destroys Rector home

Rector firemen work Friday night to douse flames at the home of Veronica Spears on Park Street. [Click to enlarge]

According to a Rector Fire Department report, a call was received around 8:15 p.m. Friday reporting a fire at the Veronica Spears residence at 614 South Park Street. When firemen arrived, heavy smoke was coming from the attic of the home and flames from the interior were visible and had nearly broken through the roof.

The RFD used two trucks to attack the fire with water. Crews from Greenway and Marmaduke were called in to assist. Working a four-person rotation, the crews tried to enter the home in order to determine whether anyone was trapped inside, but the attempt was halted when the burning ceiling collapsed.

Fortunately, neither Spears nor her children were present at the time of the fire. Spears, who arrived on the scene after being contacted, had been babysitting at a friend's house and had not been home since approximately 12:30 p.m. She told officials her children were with their father for the evening.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but a central room in the house containing a water heater appeared to have suffered the most damage. '

Crews remained on the scene until just after midnight.

A second call was received at 5:15 a.m. when the fire was reignited by winds blowing across smoldering embers. When firemen arrived, the north end of the structure was fully involved. The department called for a city backhoe to push down the exterior walls and rear deck, moving them into the center of the remains. The remains then were allowed to burn, with crews working to contain the blaze, as well as protect the surrounding area. Crews cleared the area around 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

The property was owned by Spears' father, Bennie Clements of Marmaduke. Total property loss is estimated at $75,000, but the fire report noted that number is not concrete as yet.

Monday Fire

The Rector Fire Department was called at about 10:30 a.m. Monday to a small fire at the home of Doyne Webb at 608 West Second Street.

Firemen found a moderate level of smoke inside the home's utility room and discovered fire around a ventilation hose running from the clothes dryer.

A report noted the fire possibly started when the hose became clogged, resulting in the dryer's motor overheating from the strain and igniting the flexible hose. The fire was extinguished and the hose taken outdoors.

Firemen checked the remainder of the house but found no evidence of any other fire. The home was vented to remove lingering smoke.

Total damage was estimated at $1,500.