Dateline: January 24, 2008

Fires destroy two homes in Hedley

By Roger Estlack & Anndria Kidd, Clarendon Enterprise

Local fire departments had their hands full last week as two Hedley families lost their homes in separate fires, and a third blaze damaged a home in Howardwick.

Firefighters were dispatched at 8:02 a.m. last Wednesday to the Tim McMellian home at 308 Railroad St. in Hedley. City Secretary Randy Shaw said the McMellian fire was electrical and appeared to have started in the washroom.

Mr. McMellian was not home at the time of the blaze, and the four remaining family members got out of the house safely, Shaw said.

The Hedley Fire Department was assisted by firefighters from Clarendon and Memphis, and it took two hours to contain the blaze, according to Clarendon First Assistant Chief Jeremy Powell.

The Donley County Constable and Sheriff’s Offices, the Associated Ambulance Authority, TxDOT, and the DPS also responded to the fire.

The two-story home was a Hedley landmark and was originally built by Worley Nippert in 1911 as the Nippert Hotel. Wednesday’s fire completely destroyed the home.

A second fire in Hedley struck the Patricia Ramirez home in the 500 block of Bailey St. about 9:33 Thursday night.

Shaw said ten people were living at the address where a trailer house was attached to the main home. The fire apparently started near a wood burning stove in the trailer.

The trailer house was a total loss, but the fire did not damage the main house, Shaw said.

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department assisted Hedley firefighters with the blaze; and the Donley County Constable and Sheriff’s Offices and the Associated Ambulance Authority also responded.

People interested in contributing to the relief of the McMellian or Ramirez families are asked to call Patsy Spier at the Hedley Senior Citizens 856-0143 or Rhonda Shaw at the City Hall 856-5241.

A third structure fire occurred in Howardwick Saturday afternoon at a house on Dixie Street.

Howardwick Fire Chief Jeff Cook said faulty single-wall ventilation from a wood burning stove caused the fire, which was reported at 3:41.

Powell said damage was limited to the garage and attic of the structure. The house was not being used as a residence.

Cook said the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department was training when the fire was reported, and he commended the Clarendon firemen for doing “an excellent job.”