Fire, smoke damages home

Nevada firefighters and the Vernon County Ambulance responded to a structure fire at 809 N. West St. at approximately 9:10 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, to find a home belonging to Roy and Shanna Baldwin belching smoke. The Baldwins had been out and upon their return discovered that "the garage was filled with smoke," said Shanna Baldwin.

Roy "grabbed a garden hose" and tried to enter the basement through the garage, but "saw flames coming under the door leading into the finished basement." Firefighters arrived on the scene and quickly extinguished the blaze.

The flames were confined to the basement area, and though the investigation is ongoing, Fire Chief, Robert Benn said the fire appears to have originated in the area of the fireplace. Heavy smoke, water and flames did an estimated $30 thousand in damage to the structure and its contents, according to Benn.