Firefighters responded around 11:45 p.m. to the 1600 block of River Gardens Drive, where flames were visible between two residences.
“I called 911,” said Ivy Yoemans, a neighbor to the north. “My husband told me to move the car for the fire department, but they ended up using Larry and Donna’s driveway instead.”
Donna Adams and Larry Doughty, neighbors to the south, were evacuated as firefighters battled the flames from their yard, tearing down a wooden fence in the process. The fire destroyed their pontoon boat and RV.
“We were planning our first trip in the RV next week,” Adams shared. “My son worked so hard to get it ready—he’s heartbroken.”
Fire crews quickly established a water source and began attacking the blaze by 11:52 p.m. However, one hydrant on Lynn Drive was found out of service, requiring crews to tap into a secondary hydrant on Yale Drive. The fire was under control by 12:01 a.m. and fully extinguished by 12:09 a.m.
Investigators were called to determine the cause of the fire, but their findings have not yet been released.
According to Yoemans, the home is owned by a family trust, and a relative of the trustee was living there at the time. Though they escaped unharmed, they have been displaced. Doughty later spoke with the resident and learned that the home was uninsured. While he and Adams have homeowners insurance, they worry about covering their deductible and cleanup costs.
Utility crews also responded, and firefighters remained on scene for approximately two hours and 20 minutes.
No further details are available at this time.
