Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 7, 1994                   TAG: 9402070074
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SALEM FAMILY IS HOMELESS AFTER BLAZE

But a Sunday night fire severely damaged his home, ending his plans and leaving him, his wife and three children homeless.

When the Salem Fire Department arrived at 763 Craig Ave., Potter's house was consumed in flames, Capt. Ronnie Perdue said. The nearest fire hydrant was up a steep hill in a nearby apartment complex, causing firefighters to lay hoses by hand down the hill.

"One firefighter fell through the floor while we were trying to put it out. It's lucky this house is still standing," Perdue said.

While the wooden structure of the one-story home was not destroyed, hardly anything was saved inside.

Potter, his wife and his three daughters had left about an hour before the fire began.

"We went to my sister's house. I'm just glad none of us were hurt," Potter said.

He said he wasn't using an electric space heater, a common cause of house fires in the Roanoke Valley this winter.

Potter was planning to add more bedrooms for his daughters, ages 5, 8 and 10.

"It wasn't much, but it was home . . . But this will all work out, I know," Potter said.

Perdue said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.