2 White Co. firemen hurt battling house fire

CLEVELAND - Two White County firemen were hurt Thursday while fighting a house fire in the southern part of the county.

It was the second residential fire in the county in 24 hours and occurred about 11:00 a.m. at 217 Asa Dorsey Road.

Ana Newberry, White County Fire Department spokeswoman, said homeowners Steve and Connie Savage were away when the fire started, and a neighbor spotted the fire and called 911.
 
Firefighters had their hands full, according to Newberry, because of weather and other conditions; high winds in excess of 25 miles per hour fueled the fire, plus the fire department had to deal with water supply issues.  

Two firefighters received minor injuries battling the blaze. According to Newberry two dogs perished in the fire despite efforts to rescue them. Fire units remained on scene throughout the afternoon wetting down hot spots. 

In an earlier fire, a Cleveland family will try to salvage any personal items they can after fire heavily damaged their home on Church Street in the city late Wednesday.  Cleveland Fire Chief Ricky Pruitt said they were dispatched to the residence at 676 Church Street around 5:45 p.m.

According to Pruitt, the home received heavy damage to the living room and kitchen and smoke and water damage to the remainder of the house. The family had left for church about 30 minutes before the fire erupted. Fire officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the fire.

Along with the Cleveland Fire Department, White County Fire Station 5 and 6 and the firefighters with Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute assisted in battling the blaze.

The American Red Cross is assisting the family of six with immediate needs.