A clothes dryer burst into flames, igniting a mobile home on the Lynch Rd. in Newcastle Monday morning. Within a minute of the Newcastle Fire Dept.s’ arrival on scene seven minutes after the 8:13 a.m. emergency call, the home was fully involved.
“Flames were literally out the front door,” Newcastle Fire Chief Clayton Huntley said. “I’m glad it was day time and people were up. It’s scary how quick these fires catch.”
Huntley said that Scott Little was renting the home from Newcastle Assistant Fire Chief Casey Stevens and Stevens’ wife Erika when the fire started. Little’s daughter contacted Lincoln County Communications (911) upon seeing that the clothes dryer had caught fire.
Huntley speculated the fire could have started with a backed up lint trap. He said that this is a common occurrence. People forget to clean the lint trap on their dryer and when the dryers run, heat builds up and sets the clogged lint on fire.
Huntley said that the fire dept. contacted the Red Cross, who helped the Little family with food, clothing and shelter.
“Everyone got out safe,” Huntley said.
