Cedar Street fire displaces one

Published 9:55 pm Sunday, July 13, 2014

Two neighbors came to the rescue of a Cedar Street resident during a fire Sunday morning.

Three electrical transformers in the area blew around 9:30 a.m., according to a press release from the city. A neighbor heard the noise, went outside to investigate and saw the smoke at the residence.

The neighbor awakened the sleeping occupants, and they evacuated, according to the press release. The neighbor then used a fire extinguisher to attempt to extinguish the flames, which were confined to an enclosed porch where the panel box and wall were on fire.

Email newsletter signup

Firefighters arrived and used additional extinguishers, since the panel box was still activated and water couldn’t be used, according to the release.

Damage to the two-story residence extended to the upstairs bathroom, and the occupant was displaced and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. There were no injuries, according to the press release.

Dominion Virginia Power sent crews to determine what initially caused the transformers to blow, according to the release. The 300 block of Cedar Street was expected to be without electrical power for several hours.

The fire marshal’s office is investigating.