Overnight Fire Destroys Rural Independence Home, Garage

Authorities are looking for the cause of an overnight fire that destroyed a home, garage and beauty parlor in Buchanan County.

Firefighters were called out to a rural residence on Otterville Blvd. (County Road D-16), northwest of Independence, around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 10, 2018) . Officials said one person was inside the home when blaze started, but was able to escape without getting hurt. A firefighter was injured when a ceiling collapsed, but he was expected to be O.K..

Fire crews from Independence, Hazleton, Jesup and Fairbank responded. Along with the house, garage and home-based beauty parlor, the blaze destroyed vehicles that were parked next to the building.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.