Electric fan blamed for Union Street fire

Fire fighters worked all morning to battle this house fire at 208 Union Street.

When residents on Union Street first smelled smoke Monday morning, many were worried that one of their neighbors had once again been the victim of arson. While fire fighters from Marked Tree and Tyronza fought the blaze at 208 Union Street, neighbors gathered in their yards to watch as rescue workers doused the house with water until well past noon.

Three others houses on the street burned last year in what police have determined be arson, and most likely by the same person. No one has ever been arrested and charged with the crime.

It appears arson is not to blame for Monday's fire, but rather an electrical malfunction seems to have started the fire that claimed the wooden structure occupied by Jimmy Hannah and his family, which included two children. However, this offered little comfort to the Hannah family since they had no insurance for the house's contents.

The source of the fire at the structure, which is owned by Ray Miller of Marked Tree, is thought to have come from a malfunctioning oscillating fan.

"This wasn't arson," said Danny Johnson, Marked Tree Fire Department Chief. "It looks like the cause came from an electrical fan that was bad."

According to the department's report, Engine #1 and Engine #3208 were called to the scene at 9:15 a.m. Eight Marked Tree fire fighters were joined by nine volunteers from Tyronza who helped worked to contain the fire.

Officials say the house is a total loss.