No one was injured as a result of a house fire in Ducktown Thursday, February 20; however, Copper Basin Fire Chief Marty Senterfitt said that there was someone inside as the fire began.
Volunteer firefighters were dispatched to the College Street home at 1:45 p.m. with engines one and three out of Ducktown and Grassy Creek, respectively.
Senterfitt said by the time they arrived, the porch and first floor had collapsed, leaving them unable to enter the home.
Due to the extent of the damage, he said it will be hard to determine the cause, but “lots” of items in the basement were a contributing factor of the magnitude.
The individual who was inside had left before firefighters were able to speak with him, Senterfitt added.
He noted that, at the height of the fire, temperatures were well below freezing making it difficult to keep the hoses from freezing, and water on the ground froze quickly.
“Volunteers had icicles hanging from their helmets,” Senterfitt said.
He added that they originally approached the fire defensively, but strains to the water system forced firefighters to allow for a contained burn.
This is the fifth structure fire on the East side of Polk side in two months, Senterfitt said.