A Eureka family has been displaced by a house fire.
Fire developed at 600 North Sycamore and was reported shortly before 8 pm Saturday. Eureka Fire Chief Luke Westerman says the initial report was for fire on the house exterior. When crews arrived, they found several propane tanks from a barbecue were on fire and “venting” towards the house.
Westerman says crews got the exterior fire handled quickly, along with the danger from the propane tanks, but they then had to battle the fire’s extension into the attic — a process that took several hours due to lack of access. The fire vented through the roof and destroyed the attic, while there was water damage to the main living space.
Westerman is listing the cause as an unattended barbecue grill. Nobody was hurt. The Red Cross is helping the family with short-term living arrangements.
Besides Eureka Fire, help came in from Greenwood County’s Central, Hamilton and Reece fire divisions along with Greenwood County deputies and Greenwood County EMS.
It’s the second significant house fire in Eureka this month, following a blaze at 521 East River that displaced a family Dec. 5. Eureka’s S&L Hardware continues rebuilding after a destructive fire Nov. 22.
