Rockholds, Woodbine firefighters battle another suspicious fire

Rockholds and Woodbine firefighters spent more than two hours last Thursday battling two structure fires in one location, and while arson is suspected, they do not believe it is connected to a series of recent suspicious fires.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 3925 Whetstone Road off of Ky. 779 at 6:09 a.m.

Rockholds Fire Chief Charles Walker said a house and nearby mobile home were both burning.

“The house was fully engulfed and it had spread to the trailer,” Walker said. “According to the land owner, they had remodeled the house and had begun work on the trailer.”

A third building on the property, which Walker described as a tiny house, had also been been targeted.

“They had put stuff in the middle to burn it. Fortunately, it went out because it was starved of oxygen,” Walker said.

The large house was destroyed by the fire. While firefighters were able to save a portion of the trailer, Walker said it is not salvageable.

No one was injured in the fire.

Because of the nature of the fire, Kentucky State Police arson investigators have been called to investigate.

“If nobody is living in it, it is a good indication of arson,” Walker said.

“Right now, it seems like any dwelling that is empty is a target of arsonists,” Walker added explaining that firefighters throughout the area went through a similar rash of arson fires approximately 15 years ago.

“We had four in one night. It was unreal,” Walker said. “Every department in this whole part of the county was effected.”

Corbin, Oak Grove and Woodbine firefighters battled four separate fires that consumed three abandoned and one vacant structures between the morning of Jan. 7 and early morning on Jan. 8.

The fires were located on Fairview Street, Vine View Drive, Ky. 1064 and Fifth Street.

While the structures on Fairview Street, Ky. 1064 and Fifth Street were abandoned, the home on Vine View Drive off of Fifth Street was vacant.

Anyone with information about any of the fires is asked to contact Whitley County dispatch at 549-6017, or Corbin dispatch at 528-1122.

Callers may remain anonymous.