A fire Friday afternoon destroyed a home on Carter Street in Smithville belonging to Ray and Joan Underwood.
The Underwoods, who had been living at this residence, had temporarily relocated while they were having the home renovated. They had planned to move back in once the renovation was completed.
A family member says that Mr. Underwood had begun mowing the yard on Thursday but had not finished. When he returned on Friday, Mr. Underwood opened the door to the garage and discovered that the riding mower had a fuel leak. Shortly after he entered the garage, a gas water heater inside the garage apparently ignited the fumes, causing an explosion and subsequent fire.
Underwood reportedly received minor burns and was checked out at the scene by DeKalb EMS.
Members of the Main Station, Cookeville Highway Station, and the Short Mountain Highway Station responded along with the department’s tanker truck.
(Photo provided by Callie Matthews)
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