ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 1996 TAG: 9609190037
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: FAIRLAWN
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
The fire that destroyed a commercial building in Fairlawn on Saturday started accidentally, the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.
Five fire companies battled the blaze on U.S. 11 next to the Hardee's restaurant at Peppers Ferry Road, just a mile from Radford. The fire destroyed spaces occupied by Schewel Furniture, Powers Fence, The Carpet Shop and the Tax Service.
The fire started accidentally near a secretary's desk in The Carpet Shop, where a space heater was used, said Sgt. A.R. Webb of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. Webb did not know if the space heater had been left on or was defective. That determination will be left up to insurers.
Investigators from four insurance companies are taking the case from here to see who pays for damages, Webb said.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 7:20 a.m. Saturday and one official said it appeared the fire had been burning a long time when the trucks arrived. The burned-out building was still smoking Monday afternoon.
Calvin Powers, owner of the building, said on Monday he did not exactly how much the fire damages were, but he does plan to rebuild. His early estimate was between $1.5 million and $2 million. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
LENGTH: Short : 33 linesby CNB