Fire destroys Dry Ridge home

Danielle Varner wasn’t home when her mobile home caught fire on Feb. 11 and for that she’s grateful.

Jamie Baker-Nantz

Capt. Greg Hearn of the Dry Ridge Fire Department peers inside a mobile home that was destroyed in a blaze on Feb. 11.

The fire, which broke out around 4:30 a.m. on Taylor Lane in Dry Ridge, engulfed Varner’s bedroom, which was reduced to blackened, charred wood.

The siding from the mobile home dripped like warm cake icing from the frame of the trailer.

Varner and her mother spent Feb. 13 salvaging what they could of her belongings from a spare bedroom that was not damaged in the blaze.

“I lost my clothes,” Varner, said, staring at the home she lived in for three years. “I lost everything.”

Varner had no insurance and is staying with relatives.

Firefighters from three departments fought the fire for about three hours.

Capt. Greg Hearn with the Dry Ridge Fire Department said when they arrived on scene fire and black smoke was pouring from the back of the mobile home.

The home was occupied by Varner’s cousin and his three children at the time of the fire, but they managed to escape the blaze with no injuries.

Hearn said firefighters were able to contain the fire to the back of the trailer, where Varner’s bedroom and bathroom were located. He said the kitchen, which was in the middle of the home, sustained heavy smoke damage.

Neighbors called 911 after waking up and discovering the fire.

Hearn estimated the damage to be $55,000.

Hearn said the fire is believed to have started in the bathroom. The cause of the fire remains undetermined and an investigation is continuing.

Dry Ridge was assisted by fire fighters from Crittenden and Williamstown.