Staff report
A Hollywood Drive resident woke up early Sunday morning to find his bedroom and house in flames.
Keith Graves jumped out the window of the single-story house at 1330 Hollywood Drive, near Grubb Ferry Road.
Jeff Whitley, fire chief for Ellis Cross Country Volunteer Fire Department, said Graves was lucky to get out.
By the time firefighters arrived, the roof of the house was falling in.
Graves had taken in a new puppy a couple of weeks ago. An hour or so before the fire, he had taken the puppy outside for a bathroom stop.
Graves went back to bed and was awakened a short time later by the smoke and fire. After he got out the window, he went to his mother’s house nearby and called 911.
While he escaped, the puppy apparently did not. Firefighters searched, but didn’t find the puppy.
The house was owned by Graves’ mother, Loraine Graves. Estimated to be 100 years old, it was known as the Gills house and was a landmark of sorts ó perched on a hillside in a sharp curve on Hollywood Drive.
Firefighters determined the fire started in the kitchen area and ruled it accidental.
The house was not insured.
Whitley said Graves is now staying with his mother.
The Franklin, Spencer and Miller’s Ferry fire departments and the Rowan Rescue Squad assisted Ellis.