City fire displaces five people

View larger image Firefighters battle a house fire on National Avenue in Winchester on Monday afternoon. Dennis Grundman/Daily

WINCHESTER -- A fire damaged a city home and forced five people to flee from the residence Monday afternoon.

Crews received a call at 3:42 p.m. for a structure fire at 509 National Ave., according to Scott Cullers, chief of the Winchester Fire and Rescue Department. Firefighters arrived within two minutes to find heavy smoke showing from the attic, Cullers said. Once inside, crews discovered flames on the second floor had extended into the attic.

Occupants had evacuated the house with two dogs by the time crews arrived, Cullers said.
No injuries were reported, said Cullers, who indicated the fire likely started accidentally.

Firefighters had to open part of the roof of the house to fight the blaze and Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative cut power to the residents, Cullers said. The four people who were living in the home received assistance from the Top of Virginia American Red Cross to find temporary shelter, Cullers said.

He estimated the blaze caused about $25,000 in damage.

Crews from all four city stations were assisted by firefighters with Greenwood and Millwood volunteer fire and rescue companies in Frederick County.