Leader photo/JOHN BALCH
DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. The Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department was called out the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 26 to a house fire at 1230 North Maple Street. When the first engine arrived on the scene, flames could be seen coming from the south end of the home and there were downed power lines arcing nearby. Firefighters were able to contain the fire from spreading to an adjacent home, according to Fire Chief Alan Walls. The department was on the scene for two hours and were unable to determine the cause of the fire. One of the owners of the house, Crystal Markcum, reported that her and her family were asleep when they were awakened by a neighbor knocking on the door and saying there was smoke coming from the end of the house. As the family exited, Markcum said they could see fire through the attic entry located in a bedroom. There were no injuries but the family, which includes three children, lost all their belongings. Above, firefighter Billy Rider sprays foam around the structure after the fire kicked back up later that afternoon. On the same day, the Delight Fire Department responded to a blaze on the East Farm Road that destroyed the home of Angela Preston.