Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 31, 1995 TAG: 9510310122
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Medium
No one was injured, but Dan Witt said he and his mother got out of their house only moments before it caught on fire. Witt has lived in the house 52 years.
``I just thank the Lord we got out,'' Witt said.
The evening news was just going off, Witt said, when he saw the red glare of the flames a few feet from the house.
``I tried to call 911, but it was busy,'' he said.
Someone else apparently called 911 about 5:30 p.m., and volunteer crews from Bedford and Moneta responded.
The 5- to 6-foot tall stacks of rubber stored on the asphalt lot burned hot and quickly, Bedford Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Burnette said.
Burnette said the fire swept through several rooms of the house, but others were not touched by flames. However, the entire house had extensive smoke and water damage.
Bedford Police Chief M.H. Graham said investigators were canvassing the neighborhood looking for evidence. He would not comment on whether any witnesses had been found.
Graham said as far he knew, it was legal for Rubatex to store rubber right up to its property line, but he would have to check the zoning laws to make sure.
The piles of rubber smoldered as Witt talked with a friend about his loss. Witt said his antique clock collection and Lionel trains probably were destroyed.
Rubatex's plant manager was at the fire, but when a reporter tried to approach him, another Rubatex employee stepped in the way and said, ``There is no comment; no comment.''
Witt said the rubber was placed on the lot three to four weeks ago.
``What can I say? It's their property,'' Witt said.
by CNB