BASSETT, VA – A man burning trash led to the total loss of his neighbor's house after the fire spread to it, according to officials.
The Bassett Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the 1700 block of Trent Hill Drive for a brush fire at 12:16 p.m. on Thursday.
“A gentleman burning trash let it get out and got away from him. It started a brush fire, which in turn spread about 100 feet down the road to the structure which completely demolished it,” Bassett Fire Chief Junior Lynch told BTW21 News at the scene.
The fire chief said the structure had been empty for several years.
Our area remains dry with very little rainfall.
“On a day like today, the humidity is low, the wind is blowing, it's exactly what a fire needs to burn. People should be very, very cautious. I would recommend not burning at all until we get some rain,” the Fire Chief stated.
“Henry County volunteer firefighters have seen an increase in brush fires the last few weeks.
“I think in the past week, we've had 7 or 8. About one or two a day. It's everyday and it's all over the county,” Lynch said of brush fires.
Volunteer fire departments from Patrick-Henry and Fieldale, Henry County Public Safety, Henry County Public Service Authority and the Henry County Fire Marshal were called to the scene.