Home Near Plum Burns to Ground

A family lost nearly all of their belongings in a house fire near Plum Thursday afternoon, Jan. 14.

The home was located on Plum Court, a short road off Plum Acres Road. La Grange Volunteer Fire Department got the call around 1:51 p.m.

Menefee said he was unsure exactly how the fire started. He said it appeared to have originated near a porch on the north side of the house. A strong north wind was blowing that afternoon, which fanned the flames across the rest of the house.

“The fire had a good run on us,” La Grange Fire Chief Frank Menefee said. “It had already broke through the rear door. A strong north wind was driving it, so it didn’t take long for the rest of the house to catch fire.”

La Grange VFD responded with nine firefighters and four fire trucks. Menefee called for mutual aid from Muldoon VFD, which sent another three trucks and five firefighters.

The house was a total loss. Menefee said the home was insured. A family of five lived in the home, but no one was there when the fire began. A pickup truck parked under an attached carport nearly perished in the fire. The husband arrived with the keys just as flames were about to consume the truck. A firefighter was able to start it up and drive it away.

The wife works at Weikel’s Store and Bakery in La Grange. Her co-workers are collecting donations to assist the family. The public can drop off donations at the store.