Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 18, 1994 TAG: 9405180084
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She didn't know who lived there. But she knew that if someone was inside the home in the 1100 block of Fairmount Drive, they had to get out.
As smoke billowed from the basement and into the bedroom of the one-story home, High, of Goodview, walked inside and found Flonnie Bolling, a bit dazed.
"She was just standing there; she looked confused and disoriented," High said. "She told me she wanted to go back in the bedroom to see what was going on, but I said, 'No, we better go,' and then I heard explosions by the garage."
By the time firefighters from Vinton, Roanoke County and Roanoke responded, the garage and the station wagon inside were engulfed by flames, said Vinton Fire Capt. Donnie Foutz.
Firefighters were able to contain most of the damage to the garage and bedroom. Rodney Ferguson, Roanoke County assistant fire marshal, said the fire started in the garage. The cause was under investigation.
Late Tuesday afternoon, as firefighters wetted down the damaged rooms, Bolling stood across the street, a tan coat wrapped tightly around her floral dress. Two sisters stood nearby. Her husband, W.C. Bolling, had yet to return from a trip to the drugstore. He knew nothing about the fire, she said.
The Bollings have lived in the house 38 years. Fine furniture graced the living room. A neatly groomed lawn spread around the entrance and back yard.
Flonnie Bolling said she was on the telephone about 1:50 p.m. when she heard an explosion by her garage and saw flames. She called 911. Then High led her from the house.
"I just don't know what happened," she said.
High, her three children holding hands by her side, stood a few feet from Flonnie Bolling. The incident was a bit overwhelming to them. They had been on their way to a dentist's appointment.
"I think my mom is great," 9-year-old Dana High said.
by CNB