By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
GRANITE QUARRY — Cindy Alley said when her 3-year-old son, Douglas, looked out the window Monday, he spotted something unusual. Smoke was billowing from the side of the house across the street.
Alley called 911 about 10:30 a.m. and Granite Quarry Fire Chief David Morris said the fire to the mobile home at 104 Dominion Drive was under control about 20 minutes later, but the damage is “significant.”
“Pretty much everything inside the home was a total loss,” Morris said.
Neighbors say Nate Miller and Keri Shepard occupied the home. Miller told emergency responders the home was valued at $75,000.
Miller told the Post he left the house shortly before the fire broke out, leaving their dog, a miniature pinscher named Triumph, inside.
After dialing 911, Alley said her husband, Keith Alley, went across the street to rescue the dog.
“(He) kicked the door in to try to save the dog, but there was just too much smoke for him to go in,” she said.
Miller said he believes the dog died in the fire.
After ensuring all occupants were out of the house, Morris said the focus shifted.
“At that point our attention turns to the safety of the firefighters and to salvaging as many of the personal belongings as possible,” he said.
Morris said when fire crews arrived on scene the fire had spread from the front left side of the house, near the chimney, up into the attic.
“We sent crews in there to pull the ceiling down to get hoses into the attic,” he said.
Firefighters had to take extra precautions Monday due to lingering snow and ice on the ground.
“Safety is a concern anytime, but especially in this weather,” Morris said.
The fire Investigators ruled the fire accidental. The fire spread from the fireplace into the wall.
“It appears that everything was done as safe as possible,” Morris said. “It’s probably just due to wear, tear and aging of the system that the fire box allowed the wood frame behind it to ignite.”
Morris said Miller and Shepard have received assistance from the Elizabeth Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross. To donate to the family, call the Red Cross at 704-633-3854
Alley will also be collecting items to donate to her neighbors. She can be reached at info@animagecaptured.com.
The Granite Quarry Fire Department received assistance from the Salisbury, Union, Faith and Rockwell City fire departments.
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.