Home destroyed despite quick response

The roof on the local Salvation Army Thrift Store sustained damage as a result of an Aug. 2 storm, prompting officials to temporarily close the structure. It will reopen Friday at 9 a.m. Fire destroyed a double-wide mobile home Monday morning on London Lane despite a quick response by firefighters from three departments.

Chief Ricky Peterson of the Draytonville/ McKowns Mountain/ Wilkinsville Volunteer Fire Department said smoke from the fire was first spotted by someone roughly one mile away.

Upon their arrival at 126 London Lane, Peterson said firefighters saw the home fully engulfed in flames and a 10- foot hole in the roof.

Firefighters from DMW, Corinth Volunteer Fire Department and the City of Gaffney were able to quickly bring the fire under control. But the home and contents were totally destroyed.

"It was a really good response and attack on the fire," Peterson said. "(But) it wasn't one of those you could do anything with."

The American Red Cross of Cherokee County was called to the scene to offer assistance to the residents of the home.

No one was home at the time of the fire.

One firefighter sustained a minor injury at the scene when a nail pierced his boot, Peter- son said.

Peterson said it appeared the fire was electrical in nature. The woman who lived in the home, Sherry Mullinax, told firefighters she had been having problems since a lightning storm several days ago.