Ky. Fire Chief Burned by Falling Siding at Blaze

Dec. 1, 2010
North Middletown Fire Chief Jeff McFarland was treated for second-degree burns after vinyl siding from the house went down the back of his jacket.
The chief of the North Middletown volunteer fire department in Bourbon County was injured while fighting a house fire early Tuesday, officials said.

Fire Chief Jeff McFarland, who also is the North Middletown mayor, was treated for second-degree burns and was released from Bourbon Community Hospital, Assistant Chief Greg Barnett said. Barnett said McFarland returned to the fire after he was treated at the hospital.

The fire at 733 College Road started about 1 a.m. Tuesday. Barnett said the porch and a front room were on fire when firefighters arrived. McFarland was injured when vinyl siding from the house went down the back of his jacket and burned his neck, Barnett said.

A couple and their baby safely escaped the house, he said.

Barnett said there was substantial fire damage to the house.

Terri Warner said her son Glen Warner, his wife, Stephanie, and their son Noah, age 20 months, lived in the home. She said they lost most of their belongings, including some Christmas gifts they'd already bought, because of smoke and water damage.

She said one of the family's dogs was still missing late Tuesday afternoon and was thought to have died.

Warner said her son had insurance, but she is setting up an account for the family at Traditional Bank in Paris.

Investigators were trying to determine the cause Tuesday.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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