Man burned in Geter Road fire

By Jessie Burchette

jburchette@salisburypost.com

A man burned trying to put out a bathroom fire is being treated in a Winston-Salem hospital.

David Starnes reportedly received second-degree burns in the early morning fire on Geter Road, off Needmore Road. The fire occurred around 7:30 a.m. Monday at 980 Geter Road, the home of Victoria Peek, her daughter, Keisha, son-in-law Starnes and their 14-month-old son.

Deborah Horne, assistant fire marshal, said Peek had gone to work around 5:45 a.m. Horne said the fire apparently started in the bathroom when a heater ignited some combustible material.

Peek's daughter, Keisha, woke up and smelled smoke and then saw flames in the bathroom. Starnes attempted to put the fire out and was burned in the process.

Rowan EMS transported him to Rowan Regional Medical Center. He was later transferred to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Scotch-Irish firefighters responded to the scene, finding fire spread through the attic of the one-story, wood-frame house. Wesley Steele, a Scotch-Irish firefighter, said the house was filled with smoke.

Woodleaf, Jerusalem and Rowan-Iredell firefighters assisted in getting the fire under control.

Steele said the house was heavily damaged on the inside.

No estimate of damage was available, but the house isn't habitable.

The Elizabeth Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to the scene to provide assistance to the family.

Deborah Lineberger, director of emergency services for the Red Cross, said the agency will put the family in a hotel for two nights and provide cash assistance for food and clothing.

The Red Cross will also accept donations for the family from the community. Checks can be dropped off at the Red Cross office on Jake Alexander Boulevard.