$3 million home

a complete loss

By Melanie Davis
Melanie@mountaintimes.com

A structure fire spread into a wildfire late Tuesday, causing a dangerous situation for the firefighters at the scene.

A fire was reported just after 11 p.m. at 127 Saratoga Drive in the Yonahlossee development off Poplar Grove Road in Boone. Upon arrival, members of the Boone Fire Department found the large home well involved in flames. Mutual aid was called in from the Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department and the Blowing Rock Volunteer Fire Department.

Lt. Mike Teague of the Boone department said the efforts of the firefighters were complicated by the home's long and narrow driveway. “In the case of a rural home fire, tankers must be used to transport water to the fire. There are no hydrants available,” Teague said.

The trucks were unable to maneuver and have multiple trucks on the driveway. Therefore, firefighters were unable to supply a sufficient water flow at the rate necessary to contain the blaze.

As the fire grew and the home became more involved, embers from the building began catching the wooded areas surrounding the home afire. Teague said firefighters had to evacuate the scene for safety reasons.

At this point, the fire was classified as a wildland fire, as opposed to a structure fire. Additional assistance was called in from Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Meat Camp Volunteer Fire Department and the Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department to contain the brush fire. The N.C. Forest Service also responded. Watauga Medics and Watauga Rescue responded to a nearby staging point in case an injury were to happen.

Teague referred to the interdepartment cooperation as invaluable. “We all work very well together, and we appreciate their response. It is nice to know that across departments, firefighters show up and immediately plug into the situation smoothly,” he said.

A fire line was established and 40 firefighters battled the flames. Fire crews remained at the scene for more than four hours to extinguish the fire. A crew from the N.C. Forest Service remained until 2 p.m. Wednesday to check the wooden area thoroughly for remaining embers.

A total of 10 acres was damaged. The home was a complete loss. The estimated value of the structure was set at $2 million, with an estimated $1 million to its contents.

There were no injuries reported. Two fire trucks sustained minor to moderate damage in trying to maneuver the narrow driveway.

Teague would like to remind residents to examine their home's accessibility for emergency workers. A home sprinkler system would have helped contain the fire as well, he said.

“At the cost of 1 to 2 percent of the home's construction costs, a home sprinkler system is a great investment to protect your home and family,” Teague said.

Teague is willing to visit a residence and offer a fire protection and accessibility assessment. Residents may call the Boone Fire Department at (828) 268-6180 to arrange an appointment with Teague. This assessment is offered at no cost to the homeowner.

The homeowner, Florence Hecht of Miami, Fla., was not at home during the blaze.