ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997                 TAG: 9704210076
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-7  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER 

FIRE DESTROYS HOME WHILE OWNERS OUT

Fire destroyed a Bedford County home Friday night while the owners were en route to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The fire apparently started near the furnace in the middle of the large brick ranch house on Virginia 715, Huddleston Fire Chief Charles Mitchell said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Clarence and Jo Hodges, who are both retired, were not home when the fire was reported about 7 p.m.

All the contents were either destroyed by the fire or damaged by water, Mitchell said. The entire first floor collapsed into the basement.

Firefighters were at the scene until almost 1 a.m. Mitchell estimated damage at between $200,000 and $250,000.

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