Weekend fire destroys house on Maple
Photo by Shari Harris
Even after flames were extinguished, smoke continued to waft out of the east end of the home. Fire crews continued to work to identify any potential sources of fire to prevent reignition.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
The Licking Fire Department responded to a house fire on Maple Street Saturday afternoon.
Just after 3 p.m., the fire department was dispatched to the scene on the north side of Maple Street, in the second block east of Highway 63. A single story home owned by Friend Rentals and inhabited by Torrie Mayfield and three children was totally engulfed when they arrived.
Off duty officer Jimmy Mendenhall called in the fire, and Sgt. Brian Allgire and Officer Mike Wehling responded to the scene immediately. Sgt. Allgire stated they were initially told the house was empty, but when Mayfield arrived, she believed her brother to still be in the residence. At that point, there was no way to safely enter, and the fire department believed they would be doing a recovery after the fire was contained. To the relief of all, the brother was not in the home and came walking down the street toward them as they were fighting the fire.
Raymondville Fire Department provided mutual aid in controlling the fire.
Mayfield reported she and her children had left the home intending to visit a relative, and she had received a call saying her house was on fire. She said that Licking Elementary School Principal Brian Barry, the American Red Cross and others had reached out to her offering assistance with finding clothing and other essentials, as the house was a complete loss.
The Fire Marshall had not concluded their investigation at the time this story went to print.
Photos by Shari Harris
