Three Injured In House Fire

Three people were injured and a dog was lost in a house fire just off of U.S. 60 west of Lexington early Wednesday morning.

One of those injured, a 28-year-old man, was flown by helicopter to MCV in Richmond in critical condition following burns he received in the fire. The other two victims were transported to Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital with moderate injuries.

Samuel Corey, the owner, who is living in a nearby RV, said the fire apparently started behind the wood stove. The three injured people were living in the small house that he owned.

Corey’s dog had followed him into the house as they tried to put out what was at first a small fire. Then the fire quickly grew and engulfed the house and a nearby trailer. Everyone was able to get out the house, except for the dog.

Trent Roberts, deputy fire chief for Lexington, said his department was dispatched at 7:30 a.m., and the house was fully involved when firefighters arrived. The house is located at 15 Vanderveer Lane, about two miles from Lexington.

Firefighters from seven departments responded to the fire, with tanker trucks bringing water to the foot of the hill on U.S. 60 and a line run to a firetruck next to the scene. The structure collapsed shortly after the firefighters arrived, but no firefighters were inside the house, having determined that all of the residents were outside upon arrival. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within about 25 minutes, said Roberts. The only injury reported among the firefighters was some minor lacerations to one firefighter.

Firefighters were on the scene a total of about two hours. Responding departments included Lexington, Buena Vista, Effinger, Glasgow, Kerrs Creek, Natural Bridge and Rockbridge Baths, along with Virginia State Police, Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and Rockbridge County Fire-Rescue.

The cause of the fire, Roberts said, is under investigation.

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