The early morning blaze Friday began in the garage portion of the home, where officials pinpointed the area of origin to an electrical breaker box. A vehicle parked inside the garage burned as did a pickup truck parked adjacent to the structure. (Ledger photo / KLONIE JORDAN) A Saturday morning fire destroyed a Ridgeway Road home and several vehicles.

Firefighters were dispatched to 122 Ridgeway Road in the College Park area at about 2 a.m. Saturday and found heavy flames coming from the garage area that enveloped two vehicles and were extending to the home next door.

“The fire was able to grow and engulf the whole garage area before the residents knew there was a fire,” said Gaffney Fire Department Training & Safety Officer Scott Coleman.

He said “popping” noises ultimately alerted the occupants of the home to the fire, and they were able to escape to safety. One adult and a child made their way out the back of the home while two other adults made their way out the front.

Without a fire hydrant in close proximity, firefighters had to lay 800 feet of hose to the nearest hydrant, forcing the closure of the roadway while firefighting efforts were ongoing. Firefighters did have enough water, however, and there were no issues reported with the available supply .

Members of the Cherokee County Fire Investigation Team responded to the scene at about 4 a.m. and remained at the scene until about noon, Coleman said. While the investigators were unable to say exactly what sparked the blaze, they pinpointed the area of origin to an electrical breaker box in the garage.

Coleman said the flames from the garage worked their way into the home’s attic and into several void spaces within the home, necessitating an “extended overhaul” to douse spots that had flames hidden from view.

Overall damage to the home was deemed substantial. A vehicle in the garage was destroyed, as was a pickup truck parked adjacent to the garage. A third vehicle parked in the driveway sustained some front end damage as a result of the flames, Coleman said, but likely is repairable.

Vinyl siding on an adjacent home also was damaged.

All three city fire stations, Headquarters, Overbrook and East Gaffney, responded to the blaze. Members of Corinth Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene, as did members of the Gaffney Police Department.

Coleman said the home, which was being leased by the occupants, is insured. The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the family with immediate needs.

While firefighters were battling the blaze, a power line leading to the front of the home burned off, leading to a live power line that witnesses said was jumping and arcing.

No occupants or firefighters were hurt.

Relief Fund Established For Family

A relief fund has been set up at First Piedmont Federal Savings and Loan in Gaffney to benefit the Humphries family, whose Ridgeway Road home was destroyed by fire early Saturday. 

Donations to the fund can be made at any First Piedmont Federal Savings & Loan branch office. 

The fire broke out about 2 a.m. Saturday and City of Gaffney firefighters reported heavy flames showing upon their arrival. In addition to gutting the home in the College Park subdivision, the flames destroyed two vehicles and damaged a third. 

Three adults and a child were able to escape the home unharmed. The American Red Cross was called out Saturday to help the family with their immediate needs.