Fire destroys home near San Jon

A fire likely caused by lighted candles destroyed a woman’s home near San Jon the morning of Oct. 29.

San Jon Fire Chief Craig Brashear said the department was alerted about the blaze at 2030 Route 66 west of town about 8:30 a.m.

By the time firefighters arrived, flames had engulfed one side of the house.

“It was an old house, and it went pretty quick,” Brashear said. “It collapsed into the basement.”

Brashear said the woman was living in her grandmother’s house after she had moved to Florida. He said the house had no electricity, and the woman admitted leaving candles burning in a bedroom.

Brashear said the lighted candles probably caused the fire, and he did not call the state fire marshal to investigate.

The woman escaped the burning home without injury.

Firefighters from the Porter and Bard-Endee departments assisted. Brashear said the fire was brought under control in about 90 minutes. No firefighters were hurt.

Brashear said a Quay County sheriff’s deputy told him they were transporting the woman to live with family members in Logan.