Published: May 19, 2009 10:00 am      

Peaster home destroyed by fire

Galen Scott

gscott@weatherforddemocrat.com

A rock chimney leaning precariously to one side and piles of charred rubble are all that remain of what four generations of Parker County residents once called home.

Peaster VFD Chief Leo Scott said the “stubborn” fire that devoured the residence early Saturday eventually required six tanker trucks full of water to extinguish.

“It was burning for quite some time before someone on the highway noticed it,” Scott said.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., a passing motorist reported flames jutting from the structure a short distance south of Peaster along FM 920.

Upon arriving in the midst of a driving rain, Peaster, Poolville and Central volunteer fire crews found a wooden, pier-and-beam home fully involved, with flames barring access to the inside.

Officials are not sure what caused the fire.

A new air conditioning unit reportedly installed hours before the blaze ignited was mentioned as one possible cause, although officials said a preliminary investigation did not uncover any obvious wiring errors.

Based on weather conditions at the time and historical accounts provided by the homeowner, firefighters believe lightning may have struck one of several large oak trees which surround the home.

A trace of licence plates found on an old truck parked near the home lead firemen to contact Donna Johnson, 64, the home’s only resident.

Johnson was recuperating from recent medical treatment at a relative’s house in Peaster when she learned her own home was burning down.

Johnson’s son, Robert, said his mother had considered returning Friday evening to spend her first night back at home.

“We convinced her to stay one more night at my aunt and uncle’s house,” Robert Johnson said. “She wouldn’t have been able to get out of there. It went up so fast.”

Johnson said the home was built in 1950, by his great-grandfather, Bert Reynolds, who served as Weatherford Police Chief from 1929 until 1953.

Throughout the weekend, citizens have come forward offering assistance to his family, Johnson said.

“So many people have just come out of the woodwork offering help and whatever mom needs,” he added.