Yvonne Williams describes fire that swept through her home on Sunday. (Video copyright Delaware Free News)
MAGNOLIA, DELAWARE (6/13/2016) Fire destroyed three homes west of Magnolia, authorities said this morning.
The blaze was reported by neighbors who saw smoke at 5:16 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of Viola Drive, in The Meadows at Chestnut Ridge community.
Yvonne Williams, who lives at 166 Viola Drive, was home with her husband Allen and they fled to a neighbor’s across the street after their home caught fire. She said the fire began next door at 182 Viola Drive. The fire also spread to 194 Viola Drive, destroying all three homes.
Heat from the flames also buckled vinyl siding on a home at 36 Bellflower Lane.
Cleanup companies were on the scene this morning, salvaging possessions for residents.
Chesapeake Utilities, which has gas lines in the development, also had crews on the scene this morning.
Heavy flames were coming from one home when Magnolia firefighters arrived, said Alan Brown, assistant state fire marshal.
With winds in Kent County gusting to 40 mph, it took several hours to bring the fire under control.
Brown said firefighters from several nearby companies assisted. These included Camden-Wyoming and Felton.
Camden-Wyoming Fire Company reported three houses were a total loss, with cosmetic damage to several other homes.
No one was home where the fire began, Brown said, and no injuries were reported. Damage was estimated at more than $500,000.
He said deputy fire marshals are trying to determine how the fire started.
The American Red Cross of Delmarva was assisting nearby residents, Brown said.
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