Arson suspected in blaze that destroyed one of Rockholds’ oldest homes

Firefighters say arson is definitely suspected in an early morning fire Saturday, which burned one of the oldest homes in Rockholds.

Rockholds Volunteer Fire Department Chief Charles Walker said Saturday’s blaze was the second fire in two weeks at the two-story, 125-year-old wood framed home, which is located near the intersection of Ky. 26 and Tye’s Ferry Road.

The house caught on fire about two weeks ago about 2:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Firefighters believe that the original blaze originated near an electrical panel in the back of the house, Walker said.

Even though it had no electricity hooked up, a renter was still living in the home when it caught fire again about 2:30 a.m. this past Saturday, but he got out safely.

"Somebody definitely helped the second time," Walker said.

The home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters were notified.

"It had a good start. An older house like that, once it gets dented it’s history," Walker added.

At least 20 firefighters from Rockholds and neighboring Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department responded to the blaze.

Walker said firefighters concentrated on keeping the blaze from spreading to a building next door to the house or to the trailers located behind it.

The homeowner was already in the process of making a claim related to the first fire, and didn’t request an arson investigator to be called after the most recent blaze, Walker said.