High Knob home destroyed in Sunday fire, cause unknown

A late-night Sunday fire destroyed the home and vehicles at 81 Trent Trail Court in High Knob, county officials say. / Warren County Fire & Rescue photos.

WARREN COUNTY  – A late-night Sunday evening fire destroyed a Warren County home in the High Know Mountain neighborhood, according to a media release from Warren County Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico.

The release states that around 11 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, fire and rescue units were dispatched to 81 Trent Trail Court for a reported residential structure fire. The 911 caller reported that visible flames could be seen on the exterior of the home and that the blaze had spread to two parked vehicles and the siding of the home.

Two vehicles were also destroyed in the fire, according to Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico.

The first unit arriving on the scene around 11:10 p.m. reported two passenger vehicles and a single-story, single family home involved in fire. Additionally, the fire was threatening additional structures and wildland areas surrounding them because the house was situated below the grade of the adjoining access road, as well as being perched along a steep ravine.

Maiatico said firefighters took a defensive approach and attempted to protect exposures until the arrival of additional resources.

During the incident, according to the release, firefighters encountered extreme hazardous conditions, including: below freezing temperatures, prevailing winds, icy roads, limited water supply, and difficult access. Firefighters remained on the scene throughout the night and morning to ensure full extinguishment of the fire and to ensure there was no threat to adjoining properties.

Though the fire totaled the home, no one was hurt in the incident, officials say.

The cause of the fire was investigated by the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office. Maiatico said that though Investigators have worked meticulously alongside the homeowner’s insurance company to determine the cause of the blaze, no conclusion has been reached.

The home, two vehicles, and an outbuilding were deemed a total loss. There were no reported injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Fire Investigator Raymond Cross at 540-636-3830 or email rcross@warrencountyfire.com.