Owner's fast action saves mobile home
Russ Hersh soaks insulation that's been removed to assure it doesn't re-ignite.
ROYAL CITY - Quick reaction by the home owner averted a big loss Friday morning when she was able to hold a fire at bay while firefighters arrived.
Several units from Grant County Fire Districts Nos. 10-11 responded to the 9 a.m. double wide mobile home blaze on Road A SW about one-fourth of a mile north of Road 12 SW. They found Raquel Jimenez battling with a garden hose.
According to Fire Chief Brian Evans, firefighters had the fire out by 9:30am. All that was left was mop-up action to assure it didn't re-ignite.
Evans estimated damage is about $5,000. That was good news for Raquel and her husband Juan. They'd purchased the home two years ago and paid it off but had no insurance.
Evans said it appeared the Jimenezes could repair the damage and continue to use the house. Most of the damage was ceiling tile ripped out by firefighters, insulation and part of the roof.
The Jimenezes believe the fire was started by a wood stove chimney that got too hot.
Raquel immediately went to the garden hose when she smelled smoke. She said she wasn't sure what to do. So she pointed where she saw smoke until help arrived.
"She saved the house," Juan said.