Morning fire destroys home

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, October 8, 2003

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a firethat destroyed a home on Dale Trail early Wednesday morning.

The state fire marshal, sheriff’s department arson investigatorsand other fire officials are poring through the remains of GussieLester’s home at 420 Dale Trail today in the hopes of determiningwhy the house caught fire, said Lincoln County Fire CoordinatorClifford Galey.

“We’ve just started looking,” he said. “We really don’t knowanything yet.”

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Galey was quick to add that arson has not been determined andthat an investigation is standard procedure when a cause for thefire has not been declared.

Firefighters were notified of the fire by a 911 call around 1a.m., Galey said. He could not say if Lester, who was alone in thehouse at the time of the fire, made the call.

“I’m not sure who made the call,” he said.

Brookhaven Fire Department and Zetus Volunteer Fire Departmentassisted Hog Chain VFD with the early morning fire, butfirefighters were unable to save the home. The home sustainedapproximately 90 percent damage to its structure and contents,according to the fire report.

There were no injuries.