Nathan Straus
Jacksonville Daily Progress
JACKSONVILLE —
The home of Craig and Terra Lee, owner of area Sears stores, including a location in Jacksonville, suffered heavy fire, smoke and water damage Tuesday morning during a house fire. Jacksonville Fire Department Chief Paul White said the fire potentially began from an electrical source.
“It’s not a total loss,” White said, “but there is a lot of damage.”
White said the fire might have started close to a television set, but Fire Marshal Dennis Tate said the incident is still under investigation. White said the problem might have been a series of multiple plugs present in the house.
Jacksonville Mayor Dr. Robert Haberle visited Lee at the scene. Lee, his wife Terra and two children were not present when the house caught fire, authorities stated. None were injured in the blaze.
Haberle said he saw the smoke and came because he knows the family.
“My heart goes out to house fire victims, as I am one,” Haberle said. “At this point you’re just stunned. I wanted to lend what little semblance of comfort I could.”
He added his own house caught fire several years ago.
White said the smoke plume from the house fire, located on Austin Street across from the Elm intersection, was visible from the Jacksonville fire station.
“It was hard to get through the wooden ceiling to the attic,” White also said. “We got the fire locked down pretty fast on the first floor, but it was hard to get through to the attic.”
White said the fire cut a nearby power line in half, adding a live wire on the lawn to the dangers of the house fire. Oncor Electric Delivery arrived several minutes later to cut the power.
State Farm Agent Julie Duren said the home was insured against fire and sustained smoke and water damage.
“They have a good policy that will cover their house and personal property that was damaged,” Duren said.
Lee’s family did not wish to comment on the house fire at the scene.
