A local woman was left homeless last week after fire ripped through their Dowelltown home. Fire crews were able to contain the blaze, keeping it from spreading to other homes and buildings.

On Friday at approximately 6:06 a.m., DeKalb County Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire at the home of Terry Ricketts at 242 Corley Street in Dowelltown. Upon arrival firefighters found one end of the home heavily involved with flames showing through the roof and eaves.

Liberty Engine 65, Main Station Engine 59, Temperance Hall Engine 67, and Cookeville Highway Engine 61 responded to the scene, along with DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and a unit with the DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services.

Firefighters confirmed that everyone had safely evacuated, after a neighbor alerted Ms. Ricketts that her home was on fire. There was a neighboring home, a storage shed, and an outbuilding were threatened by exposure to the flames, but fire crews were able to successfully extinguish the fire and protect those structures.

The home and all of its contents were a total loss. Indications are that the fire possibly originated from a space heater in the utility room. No injuries were reported.

The following evening, fire crews responded to yet another fire call, this time in the Liberty area.

At 11:48 pm, firefighters were dispatched to the rental property of Todd Testerman at 385 Todd Lane in Liberty on a report of a chimney fire. The renter, Chad Gantt had reported the blaze, where a creosote buildup in the chimney had apparently ignited.

Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire, though the home suffered some smoke damage.

Fire officials warn those using fireplaces and woodstoves to have their chimneys inspected and cleaned regularly. Using green or wet wood, creosote can build up inside the chimney and can ignite.

No injuries were reported during the incident.