Magnolia St Page 1

Magnolia Street Fire

In January of 2006 the Palestine Fire Department responded to a large heavily involved structure fire on Magnolia Street. Two photographers living near the scene were able to take pictures and generously provided them to the department. Below is a newspaper article related to this fire followed by the link to the pictures.

Officials still investigating fire

From the February 2, 2006 edition of the Palestine Herald Press

By PAUL STONE

The Palestine Herald

Local fire officials continue to investigate Tuesday's fire which destroyed a historic Victorian home on South Magnolia Street built around the turn of the century.

No one was home when the fire at the residence at 1104 S. Magnolia St. was reported to authorities shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to Alan Wilcher, Palestine fire marshal.

A Palestine fire truck was in the immediate vicinity and responded within a minute or two of the report, the fire marshal added.

"It was already pretty heavily involved," Wilcher said Wednesday morning. "They (firefighters) tried to do an interior attack. There was just too much fire for them to go in. They had to back out and do an exterior attack."

A passenger car parked in the driveway, possibly a Mazda 626, also was destroyed as a result of the blaze, according to Wilcher.

Four Palestine Fire Department tankers and two others supplied by the county's volunteer fire departments responded to the fiery blaze, Wilcher said. There were no injuries reported, he added.

It took firefighters approximately 2 1/2 hours to get the fire under control, according to Wilcher, and flames and smoke could be seen for blocks. Local police and private citizens helped "stomp out" small fires ignited by embers, he added.

As of Wednesday morning, Wilcher said authorities remained uncertain as to the origin of the fire.

"It was too hot last night to go through it," Wilcher said. "We'll probably go over this morning and try to pinpoint where it started."

The flames spread quickly in the "balloon- frame," two-story home, according to Wilcher.

"The tree sap comes out and acts like kerosene," said Wilcher, referring to the structure's wood. "The fire just travels up the walls."

Wilcher said the homeowner resides in California, adding that a caretaker who has been living at the residence was at work when the fire started.

Wilcher said the home was insured. As of Wednesday morning, he was uncertain whether the state fire marshal's office would be asked to investigate.

"We'll investigate here and then I'll get with the insurance company and see if they want to investigate it also," Wilcher said.

Pictures - Page 1 Page 2

KatWeb Production


	Magnolia Street Fire Home Back to Action Shots In January of 2006 the Palestine Fire Department responded to a large heavily involved structure fire on Magnolia Street. Two photographers living near the scene were able to take pictures and generously provided them to the department. Below is a newspaper article related to this fire followed by the link to the pictures. Officials still investigating fire From the February 2, 2006 edition of the Palestine Herald Press By PAUL STONE The Palestine Herald Local fire officials continue to investigate Tuesday's fire which destroyed a historic Victorian home on South Magnolia Street built around the turn of the century. No one was home when the fire at the residence at 1104 S. Magnolia St. was reported to authorities shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to Alan Wilcher, Palestine fire marshal. A Palestine fire truck was in the immediate vicinity and responded within a minute or two of the report, the fire marshal added. "It was already pretty heavily involved," Wilcher said Wednesday morning. "They (firefighters) tried to do an interior attack. There was just too much fire for them to go in. They had to back out and do an exterior attack." A passenger car parked in the driveway, possibly a Mazda 626, also was destroyed as a result of the blaze, according to Wilcher. Four Palestine Fire Department tankers and two others supplied by the county's volunteer fire departments responded to the fiery blaze, Wilcher said. There were no injuries reported, he added. It took firefighters approximately 2 1/2 hours to get the fire under control, according to Wilcher, and flames and smoke could be seen for blocks. Local police and private citizens helped "stomp out" small fires ignited by embers, he added. As of Wednesday morning, Wilcher said authorities remained uncertain as to the origin of the fire. "It was too hot last night to go through it," Wilcher said. "We'll probably go over this morning and try to pinpoint where it started." The flames spread quickly in the "balloon- frame," two-story home, according to Wilcher. "The tree sap comes out and acts like kerosene," said Wilcher, referring to the structure's wood. "The fire just travels up the walls." Wilcher said the homeowner resides in California, adding that a caretaker who has been living at the residence was at work when the fire started. Wilcher said the home was insured. As of Wednesday morning, he was uncertain whether the state fire marshal's office would be asked to investigate. "We'll investigate here and then I'll get with the insurance company and see if they want to investigate it also," Wilcher said. Pictures - Page 1 Page 2 History \| News \| Become A Firefighter \| Action Shots \| Training \| Fire Prevention Team \| Apparatus \| FD Personnel \| Fire Prevention \| Events \| Location/Contact All Rights Reserved! KatWeb Production