THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 30, 1995 TAG: 9512300393
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Fire swept a house in the 5500 block of Stewart Drive Friday morning, causing extensive damage and the death of two pet birds, Battalion Chief Chase Sargent reported.
Sargent said the blaze occurred in a single-family home near Stumpy Lake Golf Course.
The flames caused such heavy damage that the house may be a total loss, Sargent said.
He did not have a monetary estimate of the damage.
Firefighters received the alarm at 9:38 a.m. When they arrived, flames were pouring through windows and the roof, he said.
The fire was brought under control by 10:15 a.m., he said.
The home's owner and only occupant, Robin Brumfield, 45, suffered minor smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene, Sargent said.
Her two African parakeets were killed.
The fire was caused by an overturned candle, Sargent said.
Fire investigators were trying to determine how the candle was knocked over.
Brumfield told investigators her smoke detector was malfunctioning, and she had purchased a new one. But the new detector apparently was sitting on the kitchen table when the fire broke out, Sargent said. ILLUSTRATION: R.K. SMITH
Tidewater Fire Photographers Association
Beach firefighters battle a blaze near Stumpy Lake Golf Course
Friday. Two parakeets were killed, and the house was heavily
damaged, said Battalion Chief Chase Sargent. The fire was caused by
an overturned candle, Sargent said.
KEYWORDS: FIRE by CNB