Go to the homepage for the Sylva Herald and Ruralite

Firefighters attack holiday house fires in Sylva, Dillsboro

By Lisa Majors-Duff
scene Volunteer firefighters from Sylva, Balsam and Cullowhee make the initial attack on a fire that destroyed the Beck home on the Asheville Highway last Thursday (Dec. 27). The fire, which apparently started as the result of an electrical malfunction, heavily damaged the structure's kitchen and back porch, Sylva Fire Chief Mike Beck said. In addition to causing heat and smoke damage throughtout the house, the fire killed the homeowners' three dogs. - Herald photo by Lisa Majors-Duff Though holiday house fires in Sylva and Dillsboro claimed no human lives, homeowners lost a total of four pets in two blazes.

"This was a bad time to be a pet," said Sylva Fire Chief Mike Beck of the lives lost in two fires Thursday, Dec. 26.

Sylva firefighters were called to a house fire on Crawford Cove Road near Dillsboro just after midnight Thursday. The fire was reported by homeowner Carolyn Clark, who reported she'd recently returned from a holiday trip to find her water frozen, Chief Beck said.

"She said she turned the heat on in the house, then turned it off again and went to Wal-Mart," Beck said.

In actuality, one heat source - an electrical heater in the bedroom - remained on during her absence. She returned from the store to find her house full of smoke, Beck said.

The fire was the result of items being placed too close to the heater, said Beck. The blaze, which caused damage to the bedroom and hallway, also killed Clark's cat, Beck said. Smoke and water damage resulted to the entire house.

Firefighters from both Cullowhee and Savannah responded to the blaze as mutual aid. Department members remained on the scene for about 2 1/2 hours. Officers with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, as well as WestCare EMS crew members, assisted.

Some 13 hours later, firefighters responded to another structure fire, this one at the Randall Beck residence on the Asheville Highway. The home, which is owned by Clifford and Pearl Beck of Webster, was being occupied by the couple's son and his wife.

A passing truck driver noticed the smoke and reported the fire at 1:30 p.m., said Beck. "It could have been burning for a long time before that," he said.

Electrical wiring in a stairwell leading to the basement is being blamed for the fire, which apparently totally destroyed the home, which burned once before in 1972, said Chief Beck (no relation).

The kitchen and back porch sitting area received the most damage, with the remainder of the house being affected by heat, smoke and water, he said.

The Beck's three dogs were killed in the fire.

"We couldn't save any of them," said fire chief said.

Firefighters from Sylva, Balsam and Cullowhee remained on the scene again for about 2 1/2 hours. Officers with the Sylva Police, as well as WestCare EMS crew members, again assisted.

Back to Archive: 01/03/02.