By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com
Roofers accidentally started a house fire late Tuesday morning while replacing a roof in southeast Mineral Wells, fire officials reported.
Mineral Wells dispatchers received an initial call at 10:25 a.m. regarding smoke and visible flames at a residence in the 1200 block of S.E. 20th Street. The home is a one-story frame structure with vinyl siding.
When firefighters from the Mineral Wells Fire Department and Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene, white smoke was visible exiting from the east and west attic vents.
The owner, Clyde R. Guess, told the Index it was his deceased mother's house. She had moved into the home when it was new in 1949, he said.
“I was cleaning it up and remodeling it for my daughter to move in,” Guess said. Part of the preparation, he said, was getting the hail-damaged roof replaced.
When the fire ignited, Guess said no one was inside, “just on the roof.”
The cause of the fire, officials confirmed, was from the roof construction.
MWVFD Chief Steve Perdue explained the roofers were melting tar with a blowtorch on a portion of flat roof in the northwest portion of the home and generated a lot of heat. Melting tar with a torch is a fairly common practice with flat roofs, officials said.
“The fire was mainly contained to the attic,” Perdue said. He noted that one room in the northwest part of the house was also damaged when the sheet rock fell in. Some of the building's vinyl siding was also damaged, officials said.
Between the fire damage and subsequent water damage, fire officials estimated the financial loss at $10,000; an additional $5,000 was estimated for the house's contents.
According to Guess, the house is insured.
Firefighters cleared the scene at 12:15 p.m. with no injuries reported.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Flames from a Mineral Wells residence are evident in the background as a Mineral Wells firefighter carries a fire hose to the side of the structure. Neighbors and onlookers watched from surrounding yards as firefighters extinguished the Tuesday blaze. According to fire officials, the accidental fire was caused by roofers melting tar with a blow torch. Lacie Morrison/Index
The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments that do not meet our standards will be removed. Comments by guests made anonymously must be approved before they appear.
Roofers’ torch causes flames to flare
- Local News
-
-
1950s Sock Hop event to benefit Salvation Army
The community is invited to take a trip back to the 1950s as a unique way to raise money for the Salvation Army.
-
Council to meet in Tuesday session
The Mineral Wells City Council is scheduled to meet in regular session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the City Hall Annex, 115 S.W. 1st St.
-
Ware to speak at Heritage Association
RJ Ware will be the guest speaker at Thursday’s meeting of the Mineral Wells Heritage Association.
-
Currency buyers event coming to town
Mineral Wells is the next stop on the list for the International Coin Collectors Association’s world tour. During this event at the Best Western Club House Hotel Inn and Suites, 4410 U.S. Highway 180 East, the ICCA will be purchasing coins, paper currency, gold and silver on behalf of their global network of collectors, dealers and refineries.
-
PET OF THE WEEK: Catahoula mix looking for a new place to call home
“Capt. Jack” is a short hair, mixed-breed dog – mostly Catahoula leopard – with an intriguing red merle-patterned coat. This approximately 2-year-old, 55-pound male also has one blue eye and one brown eye. He will need to be fixed as part of his adoption.
-
Rising Stars to host Gibson exhibit, event
Rising Stars Art Gallery is hosting an evening of food, fun, music and – of course, art – on Friday, Feb. 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
-
MWHS theater group to host art exhibit, auction
Mineral Wells Ram Theatre is hosting an art exhibit and auction on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Mineral Wells Women’s Club building in downtown Mineral Wells.
-
Police Beat: Thefts, burglaries reported
According to Mineral Wells police reports, there were a number of property crimes reported over the past few days.
-
Thursday Blotter
The following people were processed through the Palo Pinto County Jail.
-
Driver killed in rollover wreck
The driver of a vehicle involved in a rollover crash just south of Mineral Wells Tuesday night died at the scene, according to authorities.
- More Local News Headlines
-
1950s Sock Hop event to benefit Salvation Army
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Murder Trial for Ex-U.Va. Lacrosse Player Begins
NY Giants Touch Down Victorious
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
