May 6, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
A Thursday afternoon fire destroyed the home of Roger Tramel at 702 Cill Street as well as a garage on property behind the home off Charity Lane belonging to Danny Adams.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation according to Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker.
The call came in around 4:15 p.m. No one was injured.
Contents of both the house and garage were lost along with a dog. Canopies and vehicles on the properties including a pontoon boat were either threatened, damaged or destroyed.
Heavy black smoke from the fire could be seen rising into the sky for miles and neighbors reported hearing an explosion believed to be from a couple of propane tanks which ignited during the fire.
The Smithville Fire Department arrived on the scene and also deployed the ladder truck to help fight the blaze.
Chief Parker said he wishes to thank neighbors and a rehab team of the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad who brought drinking water to firefighters. The Smithville Police Department was also on the scene.
Members of the local chapter of the American Red Cross came to assist with immediate needs of the fire victims.