The former home of Sterling Lee located on Lawrence 224 was a total loss today due to a wildland fire.

Imboden Volunteer Fire Department received a page of a brush fire getting close to a residence at 1:05pm. Imboden responded with an engine and a brush truck as well as several firefighters.

Witness reports say that some unattended coals from a neighbors wood stove caught a pile of tires on fire, then winds carried the fire to the vacant residence. Firemen fought the fire for several hours, calling for assistance from the Ravenden, Black Rock, Smithville and Walnut Ridge Fire Departments.

While on scene, a second fire was reported on Lawrence 214 in the Imboden Fire District. Volunteers from the Ravenden and Black Rock Fire Departments took care of that while Imboden continued to fight the structure fire. Imboden was back in service at 3:40 pm.

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office was on standby at the fire as well as AET Ambulance of Imboden.