Story By Angela C. Townsend
Photos By Steven Townsend

Central Hardin and Rineyville Volunteer Fire Departments responded to a blaze on Monday December 17, 2001 that began during the refueling and lighting of a kerosene heater in a mobile home adjacent to Busy Hands Ceramic Studio on North Dixie Highway. Kelly Vance of Radcliff suffered second-degree burns over most of his body in the fire, which destroyed two businesses.

Crews were alerted Monday at 11:43 p.m. Emergency Medical Services workers arrived to find Mr. Vance standing in front of the fully involved ceramic studio, his clothing nearly burned off. Vance operated a carport sales office next to the studio. He was taken by Hardin County Ambulance Service to Hardin Memorial Hospital and then flown to University Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky for treatment at their burn unit.

Twenty firefighters from the Central Hardin and Rineyville departments battled Monday's blaze for more than four hours and pumped approximately 25,000 gallons of water on the fire. The building and a nearby vehicle were totally destroyed.