Fire destroys Blacksburg home
By TIM GULLA, Ledger Staff Writer (tim@gaffneyledger.com)

A Blacksburg area family's home was destroyed late Wednesday afternoon by a fast-moving fire that refused to stay extinguished.

Firefighters initially fought the blaze at 1134 York Highway, about two miles southeast of Blacksburg town limits on Highway 5, for about two hours. They had to return to the scene about an hour and a half later when the fire rekindled in the home's insulation, according to CKC Fire Department Chief Kenneth "Stick" Manning.

Owned by the Williams family, the brick home was a total loss. No one was injured. The American Red Cross of Cherokee County was called to the scene to assist the family of four.

"It was a pretty intense fire," Manning said.

Firefighters from throughout the northeast and east regions of the county already were busy with a brush fire near the Cherokee/York county line when the call came in.

The closest fire hydrant to Williams' home is about two miles away, necessitating the use of tanker trucks, Manning said. Tanker trucks from Blacksburg, Antioch and Buffalo Fire departments all responded to provide extra water, Manning said.

About 30 firefighters responded to the initial call.

Manning said it was undetermined how the fire started. The point of origin appeared to be a closet in a rear bedroom.

"It was devastating," said Shellie Wylie, director of the American Red Cross of Cherokee County.

Not only did the family lose their home, Wylie said the Williams family had buried their pet dog earlier in the day.