Investigators probing fire at vacant White County house

CLEVELAND — Fire destroyed a home built in the 1880s south of Cleveland Monday afternoon.

White County Fire Services personnel were dispatched to the blaze at 23 Poppy Drive at 1:18 p.m. Poppy Drive is about five miles south of Cleveland on U.S. 129.

When the first unit arrived, the vacant house was fully involved in flames. The intense blaze consumed the structure in a matter of minutes.  

"Firefighters responded to the scene and quickly started knocking the fire down the best they could, but it was in defensive operation the entire time," said White County Public Safety Director David Murphy at the scene. "The house was totally destroyed. It's under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office."

Nearby residents, who are family members of the last occupant, said the structure was built in the 1800s. They said the last occupant died in September 2015. Power was connected to the house.  

White County Stations 4 and 5, Cleveland Fire Department, and Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Department responded. 

No injuries were reported, Murphy said.

Fire consumes a vacant home built in the 1880s south of Cleveland Monday afternoon.

White County firefighters spray water on a house fire south of Cleveland Monday afternoon.

White County firefighters conduct a defensive operation to contain and extinguish a fire Monday afternoon at a home built in the 1880s.

Personnel from Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Department assist at the scene of the White County house fire Monday afternoon.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/4/391920/investigators-probing-fire-at-vacant-white-county-house