Wednesday, March 30, was a bad day for fires in Putnam County. Two brush fires roared out of control, one on Scott Depot Road in Hurricane and the other in Liberty. The Liberty fire burned a 53-acre tract while the Hurricane blaze scorched 15 acres.

The Scott Depot Road fire near Fletcher Road destroyed one residence, a utility building and an automobile. The blaze also damaged three other residences. Quick response by Teays Valley Fire Department limited the losses.

The winds kept firefighters engaged well into Wednesday evening. Fire departments from Charleston, South Charleston, Tyler Mountain, Nitro, Jefferson, St. Albans, Hurricane, Buffalo, Alum Creek, Winfield, Culloden and Poca assisted in controlling and subduing the fire that gusting winds brought back to life time and time again.

The cause of the fire is unknown but arson is not suspected. The State Fire Marshal is not investigating the incident.

The Route 34 Fire Department fought fires on both sides of Painter Branch Road in Liberty for 12 hours. Assisting in controlling and conquering the wind-driven inferno were Eleanor VFD, Winfield VFD, Bancroft VFD, Buffalo VFD, Southern Jackson Fire Department, Silverton VFD, Cottageville VFD, Ravenswood VFD, Westside VFD and Eastbank VFD.