Staff report
ROCKWELL ó The cause of a Wednesday fire that destroyed a Hilbert Road home has been ruled unknown.
A Rockwell Fire official said Friday they knew the fire started in a bedroom on the bed, but it was “undetermined.”
The fire occurred at 800 Hilbert Road, not far from Shive Elementary School.
Colton Hall and girlfriend Ashley Yost had just moved into the home a month ago with friend Candace Gelvin and her son, Josh Thrift. Gelvin had been renting the property.
Hall spoke to a Post reporter Wednesday and said he was outside splitting wood when Thrift came to him saying his bed was on fire.
Hall had just enough time to get everyone out of the house safely.
The family’s dog, Dixie, a border collie, died in the fire.
He said the home was old and they’d been having some problems with fuses popping.
He speculated an outlet near the bed sparked and caught the bed on fire.
Contact the Hanford Dole Chapter of The American Red Cross regarding donations for the family at 704-633-3854. Clothing and furniture donations cannot be distributed through the agency.