Published: January 29, 2009 04:09 pm      

Early morning fire destroys home (2:14 p.m.)

PALESTINE — Authorities continue to investigate an early morning fire today which destroyed a mobile home north of Palestine.

Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said his agency was notified at 3:32 a.m. today of a mobile home fire at 160 Private Road 8414 in the Montalba area.

Sheriff’s deputy Gabe Wallace arrived at the scene to find the residence “fully engulfed,” according to the sheriff.

“The husband woke up to the fire,” Taylor said. “He got the kids out. It was a total loss. Two dogs (and a cat) appeared to have perished in the fire.”

The sheriff said investigators are uncertain about the origin of the fire, but said it may have started in the area of a dryer.

The single-wide mobile home was uninsured, according to Taylor.

The Elmwood, 79 East and Montalba volunteer fire departments responded to the fire.

The sheriff said the local chapter of the American Red Cross has been notified and is providing assistance to the family.

An account is set up for the family of Cheril and Chris Vernon at Regions Bank.

———— 

Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com