Troy Township Assistant Fire Chief Brad Ross was dispatched to the scene at 2364 Stonewood Drive, Lexington at 1:35 p.m. today. When the firefighters arrived, the fire was already heavy and had consumed most of the dwelling. Johnsville, Washington Township, Jefferson Township, Fredericktown, and Springfield fire departments were called to the scene.
Five Explorers [youth in training] from Johnsville joined the firefighters. According to Ross, the home, a colonial built in 2001, is a total loss. The damage was most significant at the center and back of the home on the main floor, destroying the floor above. The basement appeared largely untouched.
According to the Richland County Auditor’s office the home is owned by Terry Galbraith. The homeowner’s spouse was home at the onset of the fire, but declined to speak with the press. None of the family or first responders reports any injuries at this time.
Firefighters utilized a portable pond to irrigate the blaze since the Stonewood Estates subdivision does not have fire hydrants. According to Ross this technique is as effective as hydrants. It took the combined fire crews an hour and a half to get the blaze under control and the fire wasn’t completely subdued until 5:30 p.m.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Captain Rick Spillman is coordinating with the State Fire Marshall and the homeowner to complete a thorough investigation. No crimes were reported in the area around the time of the fire.
