HAYESVILLE
Fire engulfs Clay home
An April Fool’s day fire on Yellow Jacket Drive was anything but funny for a local man who was awakened by a buzzing sound, flames and heavy smoke in his home.
Tylor Matheson, who works the nightshift as a nurse at Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Peachtree, was sleeping around 1 p.m. April 1 when he heard a strange buzzing noise.
“I heard a buzzing sound, and then I saw flames,” he said.
Tylor walked across the street to the Clay County Progress office, where 911 was called. In the description he gave the dispatcher, he noted that no one else was home. He also confirmed guns and ammunition were in the house.
Minutes after the call, Fire Chief Brian Anderson arrived, and soon a number of firefighters went to
work to control it. Clay County sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Faggard, who was among the first on the scene, focused on freeing the family dog, “Tudy,” which was on a leash tied to the small front porch.
The dog fled the scene briefly after being freed, but later returned and was seen safe in Matheson’s arms. Unfortunately, the family’s 7-year-old cat, ”Biscuit,” did not survive the fire.
Tylor lived in the home with his mother, Arleen Carroll, and her husband, Michael, who works out of town. Arleen, who is also a nurse at Erlanger Western Carolina, was also out of town at the time.
MURPHY
Keep eye on vehicle
There were allegedly two instances last week involving dark black sports utility vehicles following people from Harrah’s Cherokee Valley river Casino & Hotel into town, though both said they lost the vehicle while going home, the Cherokee Scout was told.
If you win a jackpot, or leave a bank, be especially vigilant about what’s going on around you. Harrah’s security personnel are also available to escort you to your vehicle.
From staff reports.