Area fire departments were busy with a series of structure fires over the past week in Newton and Union. Fortunately, no residents or firefighters were injured. However, two homes were destroyed.
Newton
At 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Newton Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Elm Street, where the home was fully engulfed in flames. Assisting Newton were fire departments from Decatur, Gibbstown, Union, Louin, and Key Field.
Newton Fire Chief Jay Collins said the fire began when someone was burning materials in the backyard, and the flames spread to a nearby shed attached to the home. Although the residents escaped without injury, the home was a total loss.
Union
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 10:21 P.M., the Union Fire Department responded to a trailer fire on Highway 489, between Union and Conehatta. Fire departments from Decatur, Greenfield, and Conehatta assisted, along with AmeriPro.
According to Union Fire Chief Dale Yates, firefighters extinguished the blaze in two hours with no injuries. Yates said the owner was staying with relatives and was not home at the time. The fire was determined to be electrical.
The Union Fire Department also responded to a structure fire Friday, Oct. 25, at 1:07 P.M. on North Street. Firefighters brought the flames under control by 2:58 p.m., with no injuries and minimal damage limited to the kitchen and attic.
Departments from Decatur, County Line, Greenfield, and Beulah Hubbard assisted, along with AmeriPro. Yates said the home was unoccupied at the time, but the electricity was still on. According to the Neshoba Fire Marshall, it was an electrical fire that started in the kitchen of the home.
