The Shadow
A two-story house fire at 608 Church Street in Clifton Forge was extinguished by firemen from five fire departments working together, four assisting the Clifton Forge Fire Department located only a stone’s throw away.
Fire departments from Sharon, Selma, Iron Gate, and the City of Covington fought the fire that was burning from the inside.
Tiffany Nicely, one of the renters, said that she smelled smoke and reported the fire.
The rental house was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stratton who had no pets, but Tiffany, Justin Nicely, and Isabella Nicely along with Myra Prater, Autumn Husley, and Neva Husley had pets that became victims of the fire.
Tiffany noted that all of the occupants had evacuated the burning building safely but firefighters were able to rescue only two of the 13 pets that included four grown dogs, one huskie puppy, two pythons, three kittens, and three goldfish. Only one cat and one dog survived the fire.
Assistant Chief of the Clifton Forge Volunteer Fire Department Mark Nicely said, “The cause of the fire is undetermined and one dog may have escaped and may be roaming the neighborhood.”
Smoke billowed from the top floor’s windows as firemen climbed ladders to gain access to the second story.
The Clifton Forge Rescue Squad and Iron Gate Rescue Squad were also present as a light drizzle fell periodically, too little to have helped had the fire devoured its way to the outside of the dwelling.
Lana Dotson owns the dwelling that was serving as apartments.
As soon as The Clifton Forge Fire Department returned to its building, another call came in, and a small kitchen fire was reported at a residence on Fairview Avenue. Nicely noted that little damage was done at the home due to the quick reaction of the firefighters.
