Flames Consume Pine Hill Home

Oneida, TN (2011-02-08) Flames completely destroyed a family home in Pine Hill community Tuesday morning.

The home of Charles and Betty Hammock, located at 1676 Buffalo Road in Oneida, was completely destroyed Tuesday morning by a blaze that proved difficult to extinguish. The Pine Hill, Oneida and Winfield Fire Departments quickly responded to the call, but met stiff resistance in their efforts to douse the flames. The trio’s efforts were hampered by a secondary metal roof on the structure, which shielded the fire that lay underneath. The fire was reportedly first discovered by a passerby, who alerted the homeowner to a fire that appeared to have started in the attic. The home, stated a utility worker, reportedly had an attic mounted furnace near where the blaze started.

The Pine Hill Fire Department was first on the scene, but was quickly joined by the Oneida Fire Department, which laid a four-inch supply line from a nearby hydrant. The Winfield Fire Department likewise responded, bringing a truck and manpower. First responders, exhausted from fighting the fire and bitterly cold temperatures, eventually called on the Mid-County Fire Department to provide support services.

The fire closed Buffalo Road from the intersections of Posey Lane and Jane Phillips Road for several hours.