The Herald-News - News Story

Fire investigators are questioning the cause of a blaze that destroyed an Evensville home that was set for foreclosure.

The fire was reported Tuesday afternoon on Howard Circle, according to a report filed by Rhea County Fire Investigator Chuck Kinney.

He handed over the case to the Rhea County Sheriff's Department for further investigation.

Kinney ruled that the blaze began as a grease fire on the kitchen stove.

His report states that the homeowner left a pan of grease on the stove to heat up while she went outside to smoke a cigarette.

When the homeowner returned, the house was full of smoke, and she went to a neighbor's home to try to find a fire extinguisher. She also called 911 on the way, Kinney reported.

By the time firefighters arrived, the house was totally engulfed. The home itself and all its contents were destroyed, Kinney said. It was insured.

Kinney said the homeowner reported her mortgage company was about to foreclose and was about to set a date for her to move out.

The official cause of the fire was left undetermined, pending an investigation, Kinney said.

"With this home in foreclosure and the red flags associated with this fire, it is not clear if this fire is an accidental or an incendiary fire," Kinney's report stated.

Grill fire
Another blaze destroyed the home of a Spring City family Thursday afternoon. No one was injured.

Wilson Haynes was grilling burgers on a gas grill outside his home on Amy Trail. When he finished, he left the hot grill while he went inside, Kinney reported.

He checked outside after hearing a strange noise and found the exterior wall of his home was on fire. By the time firefighters extinguished the blaze, the house and all its contents were completely destroyed, Kinney said.

He ruled the fire accidental, citing the gas grill as the point of origin.

The home was insured, and the Red Cross has been called in to assist the family, Kinney said.

Michael Reneau can be contacted at michael.reneau@rheaheraldnews.com.