Local News
After building it 40 years ago, woman watches home go up in flames
By Tiffany GreenRelated Photos
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The home of Marie Guthrie on Grafenstatte Street caught fire Thursday morning. The home was heavily damaged. PATRICK MCCRELESS
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Add a comment on this storyAfter almost 90 years living in the same neighborhood in Cullman, Marie Guthrie watched in sadness as her house burned Thursday.
“I never thought this would ever happen to me,” Guthrie said. “I’ve lived on this property my entire life.”
Guthrie’s home on Grafenstatte Street in Cullman caught fire around 10 a.m. Thursday morning, and within 8 minutes the first fire engine was on the scene.
No one was injured in the fire.
Guthrie and her late husband built the house 40 years ago after growing up in a different house on the same property.
“We didn’t get anything out but ourselves,” Guthrie said.
Keller’s Tree Service was cutting down some pine trees in the yard when Guthrie came to check her mail.
“She was getting the paper and we kept seeing smoke,” said Tim McKoy of the tree service. “We thought someone must be burning leaves in the back yard.”
When Guthrie’s daughter Nancy came to the front door to tell her mother there was smoke in the kitchen, McKoy followed her in to help.
“We tried to put it out with the fire extinguisher, but they (911) told us to get out,” McKoy said.
Guthrie used her medical alert necklace to call for help.
“The insurance company is looking at the house now,” said fire chief Junior Reinhardt. “It’s still under investigation. We don’t suspect anything.”
Reinhardt said every fire is investigated, even if foul play is not suspected.
The two-alarm fire was cleared by 2:03 p.m.
“They didn’t get anything out except themselves and the clothes on their backs,” neighbor Martha Barkyoumb said. “We love this house and this neighborhood.”
Cullman Fire Marshal Chris Chaffin was still investigating the cause of the fire at press time and had no additional details.
Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
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