Cause of Bronson house fire undetermined

Loretta George/Tribune photos Bronson firefighters work to extinguish a fire that destroyed the R.T. Bolling home and garage Thursday in Bronson. The home was totally engulfed when firefighters arrived.

BRONSON -- Few details have emerged following a structure fire that burned through a house in Bronson Thursday.

Firefighters from several area departments worked throughout the afternoon and night to contain a fire at the home of R.T. Bolling at 611 Elm St. They were unable to save the house, which caught fire about 3 p.m. and remained ablaze until sometime after 8 p.m., when fire personnel got the fire under control, according to firefighters at the scene.

Bronson City Clerk Ellen Harper, a firefighter who worked the scene, said Friday the house was "fully involved" when firefighters responded to the blaze.

Bolling said Friday neither he nor his wife were home at the time of the fire; he was at work when he was notified. Bolling said he stayed at the scene through most of the night until the fire was extinguished.

Bolling said he has not talked with any fire officials about a possible cause. The only thing he knows for sure is the home is a complete loss.

"The insurance company came by and said it was totaled," he said.

Bolling added he is not sure of any ensuing investigation into the cause of the fire.

"I don't know of a fire marshal report," he said. "The insurance company is not going to investigate it."

Harper said the cause of the fire has been labeled/classified as undetermined at this time.

Agencies responding to the blaze included Bourbon County Fire District No. 3, and departments from Hiattville, Mapleton, Devon, Bronson and Uniontown. Firefighters from Scott Township also responded to the fire after a call for mutual aid was made, Harper said.

When asked if frigid temperatures affected firefighters or their work in trying to douse the fire, Harper said the cold weather "really had no effect" on firefighters or equipment.

Harper said the Red Cross was present Thursday at the fire scene. Bolling said he declined any assistance from the organization. He is staying with his family members in Bronson for the time being.

"We'll stay a few days until we decide something differently," he said.

Bolling said a house and carport were destroyed in the fire.

Bolling said he has learned a few things from the incident, including how it feels to lose a home during the holidays and how to deal with it.

"A person doesn't know what they went through until you go through it," he said. "I sympathize with those who have had that happen to them. It's another phase in a person's life."

Multiple attempts to reach BCFD No. 3 Coordinator Delwin Mumbower for comment were unsuccessful.