Fire Destroys Home in North Jones County

A fire Saturday night, July 25, completely destroyed a home in the Shady Grove community of North Jones County.

At approximately 9 p.m., fire units from the Shady Grove and Sharon Volunteer Fire Departments were dispatched to assist Laurel Fire Department with a structure that was first reported on Forest Drive, off of University Drive in North Laurel. However, it was quickly determined that the burning home was located on Sherwood Drive in the Shady Grove fire district. Upon arrival firefighters found the large split-level home fully involved in flames. Firefighters fought the blaze for well over three hours.

The owners, Larry and Heather Gendusa, were away from the home at the time of the fire.

Several firefighters became over heated while fighting the fire, and had to go through rehabilitation. Once cleared by Emergency Medical Responders and EMServ EMTs the firefighters returned to fighting the fire.

The family lost everything in the fire except their beloved pet, a Dachshund, who disappeared during the fire, but was found the next morning, frightened, but unharmed.

The fire remains under investigation by Jones County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigator Sgt. Scott Gable.

Photo by the Laurel Leader-Call

Story by Linda Cranford, Jones County Fire Service PIO