Family Escapes Burning Home Unharmed But Loses All Belongings In Midnight Fire

A fire late Friday night destroyed the home of Jerry Ashford at 215 West Spring Street, Smithville.
Members of the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department received the call around 11:39 p.m. but the fire was well underway by that time and they could not save the home.
Ashford and his wife and son were sleeping at the time of the fire but awoke to the smoke and were able to escape the burning house just in time without injury. However, at least one of the family dogs died in the blaze.
In addition to the home, the family lost all their belongings in the fire.
The cause of the blaze was undetermined at last report.
In addition to city fire fighters, others at the scene included members of the Smithville Police Department and DeKalb EMS.