Sunday afternoon fire destroys High Knob home

Just before 2:00pm on Sunday, March 22, 2020, the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services received multiple reports of a residential structure fire in the area of the 400 block of Red Bud Lane in the High Knob Community of Warren County.

Units arrived on the scene approximately eight minutes after dispatch to discover a two-story single family dwelling with significant fire conditions on the second floor and throughout the roof system of the home. Firefighters were initially unable to confirm if there were any occupants inside the home at the time of the fire and began a primary search upon finding a vehicle in the attached garage. It was determined that no occupants were home at the time of the fire and later accounted for and determined to be uninjured. A neighbor of the home was able to break a door and allow the family canine pet to escape the blaze before the fire department arrived on the scene. Two cats were unaccounted for after the incident.

As a result of the fire, the High Knob Community Fire Protection Water System was utilized to supply water to the incident scene. It took firefighters approximately 40 minutes to bring the fire under control. Units remained on the scene for several hours ensuring the fire was completely extinguished and assisting the Office of the Fire Marshal.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office. The fire caused an estimated $220,000 in property damage which rendered the house uninhabitable. Anyone with information with regards to this fire incident is asked to contact Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico at gmaiatico@warrencountyfire.com or call 540-636-3830.

Units on the call:

• Engine 4, 1, 3 and 6
• Tankers 4, 9, 3, 5, and 2
• Ambulance 1
• Chief 100
• Fire Marshal 1
• Warren County Sheriff’s Office