Cabin destroyed

by fire
By Melanie Davis
Melanie@mountaintimes.com

Fire crews from Caldwell and Wilkes counties assisted Triplett’s Stewart Simmons Volunteer Fire Department in containing a structure fire that began to spread into the nearby woods Thursday morning.

A cabin was reported on fire at 9:40 a.m. on White Rock Road in the Sampson community. The area is under the Lenoir postal code, but lies within Watauga County. Stewart Simmons fire chief Doug Berry said that White Rock Road is a single-lane road in a remote area.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the 600-square-foot structure fully involved with fire. The flames were beginning to spread into the forest around the home.

Assistance was called in from the Blowing Rock Volunteer Fire Department, Patterson Fire Department and Yadkin Valley Fire Department, both of Caldwell County, and the Ferguson Fire Department out of Wilkes County. An estimated 25 firefighters and nine trucks were at the scene. Watauga Medics and Watauga Rescue also responded.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire quickly at less than one-half acre of damage.

One person was at home when the fire started. Berry said the person sustained minor burns, but refused medical treatment.

The fire remains under investigation. The cause is as of yet undetermined.

The identity of the individual(s) living in the residence has not been released, nor the property owner information.

An estimated value of the damage has not been determined, pending property owner interviews.
Fire crews cleared the scene at 1 p.m.