GFD answered 158 calls in February
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on March 15, 2006 1:45 PM
Three major house fires in February resulted in about $165,750 in damages, Goldsboro Fire Chief Bobby Greenfield announced in his monthly report.
A fire Feb. 19 at 302 Wood St. caused an estimated $135,000 in damages to a home, a sport utility vehicle, two motorcycles, a riding lawn mower and other contents.
The homeowner, William Coley, told the Fire Department that he had been working on his motorcycle in the attached garage when fuel spilled on the floor. A nearby propane heater ignited the gas and the motorcycle. The one-floor home, valued at $114,000, sustained about $95,000 in damages. The contents, valued at $50,000, suffered about $40,000 in damages. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle, valued at $15,000, and a riding lawn mower, valued at $3,000, were destroyed. A GMC Yukon SUV and a Honda trail bike, owned by a friend, Cowayne Lee, sustained about $11,000 in damages.
When power was restored Feb. 10 at a home at 1701 Ball St., a heater that had been left on ignited clothes left nearby. Firefighters found the house engulfed in flames and put out the blaze. Damage was estimated at $20,000 to the home and $10,000 to the contents. The home, valued at $40,000, was occupied by Georgetta Atkison and owned by Woodard Realty of Goldsboro. The contents were valued at $15,000.
In the third fire, a microwave oven shorted out and ignited window blinds Feb. 20 at 510 N. Jackson St. Damage was estimated at $400 to the home and $350 to the contents, said resident Tony Ellis.
Greenfield said the department responded to 158 fire or service calls in February. Department personnel completed 342 hours of company training and 1,539 hours of individual training.