No one hurt, but a total loss
Murphy – A fire destroyed a two-story garage in the Tanglewood Forest housing development last week.
Firefighters gained control of the blaze within 10 minutes but remained on scene in 84-degree heat for more than an hour on the afternoon of Aug. 26, ensuring the fire didn’t rekindle. Officials say the blaze began after a piece of welding slag fell from the upper level into the basement via gaps in the floor.
“[My husband] was working with his welder, and he thinks a slag may have landed between the wood slats,” Jan Wilson told the Cherokee Scout. “When he got downstairs, there were four different fires going in four different areas.”
Wilson said her husband, Dale, used the upstairs garage as a welding shop, while the downstairs portion was used to store Christmas decorations, files and other generic merchandise. The fire destroyed everything inside the structure, including an antique bar that was built in the 1920s.
“They said both garages are a total loss,” Wilson said. “Fortunately, nobody was hurt.”
Firefighters were dispatched to 211 Kawana Circle around 2:20 p.m. Upon arrival, they noticed heavy smoke and fire in both the basement and upper floor of the garage. Fire officials say the garage contained numerous chemicals, fuels and paints.
Firefighters prevented the blaze from reaching the Wilsons’ house, which was only attached to the garage via stairs. Officials estimate the loss to be about $120,000, which includes the structure and contents inside the garage.
The loss of the welding shop adds further financial strain on the couple.
“He’s not going to be able to [bring in income with the welding shop], and unfortunately I lost my job due to COVID-19,” Wilson said.
“What he was able to bring in has been helping get us through with my unemployment.”
No firefighters were injured during the effort, though one was evaluated for exhaustion. Fire officials used about 3,000 gallons of water and 3 gallons of foam to extinguish the blaze. The Hanging Dog and Martins Creek volunteer fire departments assisted the Murphy Fire Department in the operation.