Multiple fire departments responded to a house fire at 5990 U.S. 52 after neighbors called for help Thursday when they smelled smoke and saw flames shooting from the roof.
The homeowners, Mary Ida and Carl Yost, were not home at the time, but their neighbors were looking out for them. One neighbor, Joel Robinson, was mowing his backyard when he smelled smoke. Robinson said he ran to the front of the yard, thinking the smoke was coming from his house. He quickly discovered the smoke was actually coming from the Yosts’ house. The home is located between Granite Quarry and Salisbury.
He called 911 around 1:23 p.m. and within minutes flames began shooting from the roof of a garage. He believes the fire started in an attic exhaust fan. Fire officials have not confirmed the cause, but have said it did originate and was contained to the garage.
Robinson said he’d just gotten home when the fire began. He estimates the couple have lived in their home for about 12 years.
Granite Quarry Deputy Fire Chief Bill Fraley said the fire is still under investigation. The fire was coming through the garage area. He said the fire burned a hole through the roof, but firefighters also cut a part of the roof, for ventilation. Firefighters covered a car inside the garage with a salvage cover to protect it from debris.
Granite Quarry Fire Department as well as Salisbury, Faith, Rockwell City and Union Fire departments responded. Rowan Rescue Squad also responded. The Rowan County Fire Marshal’s Office was also on the scene. Granite Quarry-Faith Joint Police Authority provided a road block to detour traffic. A Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy in the area also stopped to help with traffic control. There were a number of onlookers stopping to take pictures of the house fire.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.