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Last updated on Monday, September 22, 2008
Updated: 9/22/2008 9:59am
(BEDFORD) - The Bedford Fire Department as well as other first responders remain on the scene of a house fire at 4th and N Streets on the north side of Bedford.
Bedford Fire Department Battalion Chief John Wagner tells WBIW News that they received the call around 8:02 this morning, and arrived at a fully involved home at 404 N Street.
Wagner says all but three rooms of the home suffered fire or water damage and that the entire home suffered smoke damage.
Currently, N Street is shut down between 4th and 5th Streets and 4th Street is closed at the N Street intersection. Fire and police crews as well as their equipment are expected to remain on scene for a while yet.
Nobody in the home, nor any of the firefighters responding to the call, were injured in the blaze, however, Alison Patton, the owner of the home, was at least checked over by EMTs on the scene.
While WBIW News was on scene, firefighters were still having problems getting access to certain sections of the attic of the home, which was finished into living area. Wagner says the finished ceiling had sections that weren't readily accessible by firefighters, and they had to punch holes in the ceiling in order to gain access and spray them down.
Wagner says the fire appears to have started in a central, lower-level room which was outfitted as a living room, however, was unable to verify that for sure. Crews were still trying to put out hot spots, which would need to be done before a full-blown investigation could commence.
Wager was appreciative of the quick work done by Duke Energy who cut power to the home upon their arrival. Wagner says the occupants of the home, Patton and her two young children, told him the lights had flickered at the home prior to the fire.
All three fire stations responded to the fire as, Wagner says, is the norm for house fires in the City of Bedford.
Updated: 9/22/2008 9:59am
Bedford Assistant Chief of Police Dan Kirk tells WBIW News that officers had been at the home in previous days for a child custody dispute where they had difficulty entering due to debris. Kirk also says he understands the home is owned by the father of Alison Patton, who lives in another state.
Kirk says Patton had left earlier this morning to take her kids to school and was then visiting a neighbor when the fire was noticed.
Bedford Fire Chief Scott Gillespie says, though he hasn't gotten a chance to speak with investigators, information has been provided that would indicate the fire was caused by possible electrical problems.
Keep tuned to 1340 WBIW and watching WBIW.com for updates as they become available.
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