By Jay Almond, Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 — A two-story Norwood residence shot up in flames Saturday, probably as the result of a candle left burning in a downstairs room, Stanly County fire officials said.
Norwood firefighters and Stanly County Emergency Management Services responded to 119 W. Whitley St., Norwood, around 9 p.m. Saturday to find the fire burning on the first floor.
EMS Director David Montague said he believed the blaze was an accident and estimated the damage at $10,000.
No injuries were reported and the residents are staying with family. The property owner, Donna Singletary, was unavailable for comment.
Much of the initial damage was to the room and contents where the candle was burning, and smoke and water damage extended into other rooms on both floors.
Inter-agency co-operation helped limit the fire’s damage, according to Montague.
“The fire was controlled by Norwood City and Norwood Center Rural fire departments within about 20 minutes of the call,” he said.
“They got the area cleared and traffic rerouted quickly. That’s just everybody working together and that’s great.”
Montague cautioned the use of open flames and recommended residents never leave any fire unattended.
