Four Grayson County fire departments responded to a massive house fire at 145 Warren Purcell Road (off Duff Road) Thursday night at approximately 8:35.
Over a dozen fire trucks and at least 25 firefighters from the Leitchfield, Clarkson, Caneyville, and Falls of Rough Fire Departments responded to the fire at a large, two-story wood-frame home. Upon Leitchfield Fire Chief Tim Duvall arriving at the scene, the home was fully engulfed in flames.
Positioned about 75 feet from the home were two vehicles and a large garage. Firefighters sprayed the garage and vehicles in a successful attempt to save the structure and vehicles, although the siding on the front of the garage was melted, with a taillight on one of the vehicles also melted.
The men and women battled the blaze for well over an hour before bringing the fire under control.
The home’s two occupants, Reed Meredith and Madison McKenna, were able to escape the residence along with their three dogs. But it’s not clear if the couple’s cat made it safely out of the house.
Duvall said Meredith noticed flames coming from a vent in the home and he attempted to put out the fire with an extinguisher. He was obviously unsuccessful as the fire was likely much larger at that point than Meredith realized. Duvall said the fire spread throughout the duct work in the residence eventually fulling engulfing the home. All that was left standing was the chimney.
Firefighters conducted a thorough overhaul of the home (looking for and putting out hot spots) that lasted more than three hours.
The fire departments began clearing the scene at 11:00, with Leitchfield fire leaving the scene at 1:57 Friday morning.
Duvall said the origin of the fire was likely electrical.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
