Grand Old House Burns
by Maryann Miller

Winnsboro lost a venerable old house on Thursday November 21 when fire broke out at 308 Carnegie. The home of Gerry Dopson, the house had just been remodeled and put on the market, and is certainly a devastating loss.

Gary Short, a member of the volunteer fire department for Winnsboro, said that the initial call came close to 3:30 in the afternoon. Fourteen volunteers, most from Winnsboro, fought the blaze for five hours, but were unable to save much of the structure. "We were hindered some in the back," Gary said. "Because the ceilings in those rooms were made with heavy timbers. We couldn't break through the way we normally do with rafters and sheetrock. It took a lot of extra time to cut through with chain saws."

The cause of the fire is yet undetermined. Mr. Short said that any time there is a fire within the city limits, the State Fire Marshall is called in. "We'll have to wait for him to complete his investigation."

The good news is that Ms. Dopson was able to get out safely. She woke from an afternoon nap when the smoke detectors went off and called for help. Mike King and another unidentified man saw the smoke and went to the house. When they heard the call for help, they entered and brought Ms. Dopson out. They were even able to rescue one of her wheelchairs. Her family has gathered to help her through this ordeal.