Fire destroys home west of Gentry

GENTRY — A fire early Friday morning destroyed the home of Lezlie Killebrew, located near Cherokee City, Gentry’s fire chief said.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 24132 Cherokee Road about 3:30 a.m., Fire Chief Vester Cripps said.

A family of four lived in the home, Cripps said. A man and two children were home and sleeping when the fire started. One of the children was awakened by the smell of smoke and a smoke detector going off. The three were able to get out of the home uninjured, Cripps said.

Cripps called the house a total loss. An investigation into how the fire started was underway Friday afternoon, Cripps said.

“We’re looking at cause and origin,” he said. “Where it started. What started it.”

While the exact cause was still under investigation, Cripps said later on Friday the fire originated at a cook stove in the residence.

It took about three hours to put out the fire and then to extinguish any flare-ups, Cripps said.

A detached garage located about 20 feet from the home was not damaged, he said.

Gentry, Highfill, Decatur and Siloam Springs firefighters responded to the scene, he said.

The fire occurred only about a mile from the Gentry Fire Department substation on Cherokee Road.

Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL This was all that remained of a home at 24132 Cherokee Road, west of Gentry, on Friday afternoon. A few hot spots were still burning. No injuries were reported in connection with the fire but the home was a total loss.