ASHLAND — The Ashland Fire Division is investigating the cause of an early morning house fire that occurred three days before Christmas.
The blaze resulted in damage to two homes, but no injuries.
Members of the Ashland Fire Division were dispatched at 12:55 a.m. to 623 Hillcrest Drive. Residents called the fire in after trying to contain it themselves, according to Assistant Fire Chief Ken Gardner.
“Most of the home sustained damage,” Gardner said.
The most significant damage was on the carport attached to the home, which was completely charred.
Two cars outside of the home also suffered damage from the fire, leaving them totaled.
Gardner said the crew on the scene was able to contain the fire within 20 minutes, but they spent the next two hours searching for any remaining hotspots on the home and the neighboring property.
“I thought someone had gotten killed by a shotgun. That’s what it sounded like,” next door neighbor Jerri Beasley said.
Beasley’s house sustained damage from the heat on the side bordering the house fire, which included cracked windows, melted paneling and melted fencing.
“The whole side is just ruined,” Beasley said. She said she was thankful for the fire divisions’ response, which included evacuating Beasley and her husband, Carl, from the home and inspecting for hot spots.
The fire came three days before Christmas, and the Ashland Fire Local Union 1386 has contacted the family to replace presents for the three children.
The union hosts Red Helmet Christmas Charities every year, which involves a toy drive and money set aside for a family in need, according to Chairman Cody Uhler.
Ashley Oxender, a relative of the displaced family, posted on Facebook asking people to donate children’s clothes, high chairs, shoes and other needs.
Oxender specifically asked for:
- Boys clothes, sized 6 or 7, and shoe size boys 13
- Twin boy and girl clothes, size 3T, and shoe size 8-9
- Mens size large shirts, 32-34 sized pants, and shoe size 10
- Women size 2XL shirts, 16-18 sized pants, and bras sized 2XL
Oxender said anyone able to make a donation can drop items off at 1490 State Route 60 or she can make arrangements to meet them.