Woman Homeless After Friday Fire

On Friday, February 20, an afternoon blaze left a Lunenburg county homeowner and her family members shaken after firefighters bared the freezing temperatures in an attempt to get the fire under control.

Fire departments from Keysville and Victoria were dispatched around 2:14 p.m. to the residence, located at 9891 Lunenburg Road, which belonged to Juanita Townsend.  Units from Drakes Branch and Meherrin Fire Departments were also called to the address. When firefighters arrived on scene, smoke was emerging from the roof of the house. According to Keysville Fire Chief Lynn Duffey, it is believed that the fire initially started while an individual at the home was trying to thaw out frozen pipes.

Despite the cold temperatures, firefighters worked diligently to extinguish the flames, which had quickly began to spread into the attic and walls of the home. However, the home was declared a total loss due to irreparable fire and water damage.

Lunenburg County Sheriff Arthur Townsend, a relative of Juanita Townsend, was on the scene during the fire and commented that while the family members were unsettled, it was a relief no one was injured.