The State Fire Marshal is investigating after two fires in a day destroyed a home on Expose Road Monday.
Monday afternoon, Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department firefighters were called to the 1900 block of Expose Road to the Lampton residence for a reported fire in one of the rooms.
“It was a small fire in one of the bedrooms,” Marion County Fire Investigator Aaron Greer, who is also a firefighter for the department, said. “It was knocked down pretty quickly, and we did salvage and overhaul. It may have started with a candle on the dresser.”
The 2 p.m. fire left the home with smoke and water damage, but, the structure was intact.
The home’s owner, Charvo Lampton, returned home from work after being notified of the fire and began removing belongings to have the home clean and repaired.
“There was still some smoke as we were moving stuff out,” he said. “We went to eat and got a call that it was on fire again. Someone had called 911. There were flames when we got back.”
Lampton said that earlier in the day firefighters had used a thermal imaging camera to check the attic of the structure and had told them to stand by the residence and report anything suspicious.
“We had heard some crackling and popping,” he said. “I had just added onto it and put in a two-car garage and a bathroom. It’s partially insured, but I had put all of my 401K money and stuff like that into it. We got some stuff out like some clothes and that, but the house is gone now.”
Tri-Community Chief Cole Robbins said the second call to the residence made for a difficult day for firefighters.
“We were pretty sure we had it out,” he said. “We’re not sure how it started back up. When we got the call the second time, it had already vented through the roof from the attic. When we got there, it was a complete loss.”
Greer said firefighters were called back to the scene at 7:51 p.m. and didn’t clear until after 11 p.m.
“I’m putting it under investigation,” he said at the scene. “I called the State Fire Marshal already. I’ve got an investigation started, and the State Fire Marshal will assist.”
The fire department responded Monday night with 16 firefighters several engines, a tanker truck and squad truck. The investigation was continuing Tuesday. Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies also assisted at the scene.
Pictured Above: Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department firefighters battle the second blaze at a home on Expose Road Monday night. The home was destroyed. | Photo by Mark Rogers
