Published: April 11, 2008 12:56 am         

Fire damages mobile home; cause under investigation

Authorities continue to investigate a fire of unknown origin which heavily damaged a mobile home on CR 163 in southern Anderson County early Thursday morning.

Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said his agency received a call at 1:26 a.m. Thursday, reporting a fire at 3850 CR 163 which is located just northeast of the Elkhart city limits.

“When the deputy (Lee Duren) arrived, he observed the flames going through the back of the roof of the trailer,” Taylor said.

The value of the 1996 Waverly double-wide mobile home was listed at $50,000, according to the sheriff. The trailer was insured, he added.

The Elkhart, Southside and Slocum volunteer fire departments responded to the fire, according to Taylor.

“We’re unclear at this time what started the fire,” Taylor said. “It doesn’t appear to be suspicious in nature, but we don’t know exactly what started it.”

Anderson County sheriff’s Sgt. Jay Russell and reserve deputy Bill Yearout, who has substantial experience in fire investigations, will assist in the investigation, according to the sheriff.

Taylor said the person who lived in the mobile home was next door visiting his father when he “looked out the window of his dad’s residence and saw the glow” coming from his residence.

The mobile home sustained “extensive damage,” according to the sheriff.

“It’s not inhabitable,” Taylor said.

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

     

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