Fire destroys home

Firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed a Morgan Circle home in the Grassy Pond area Thursday morning. Smoke could be seen billowing from the single-story brick home near the Peachoid water tower. Fire destroyed a Morgan Circle home in the Grassy Pond area Thursday morning.

Neighbors reported smoke coming from the one-story brick home owned by the Nguyen family at about 10:50 a.m.

The fire apparently originated in the garage area.

Firefighters from the Grassy Pond Volunteer Fire Department, Cherokee Creek Volunteer Fire Department and the Gaffney Fire Department responded to the scene. The fire was brought under control in about 15 to 20 minutes, though the roof had been completely burned through, said Grassy Pond Fire Chief Nathaniel "Junior" Ellis.

The home was a total loss.

Luckily, no one was in the home when the fire broke out and no injuries were reported.

The Nguyen family was insured.

A possible source of ignition that could not be ruled out was electrical.

Chief Ellis said high temperatures made firefighting difficult and firefighters had to be rotated in and out as their body temperatures rose inside their thick protective gear.

"You couldn't go long," he said.

Firefighters were on the scene for approximately three hours.