July 3, 2018 - The morning sky was aglow with flames at the intersection of Center and Shelbyville streets early Tuesday, July 3, 2018 in Center due to a house fire.
When Center Fire Department firemen arrived at the McLendon house, not long after 5am, the two-story structure was completely engulfed in flames. Embers were escaping into the still dark sky as flames also found their way across Shelbyville Street to neighboring yards where residents were wetting roofs with garden hoses to prevent fire from catching.
Water was applied by firemen to structures located directly next door to the enflamed building in attempts to prevent further spread of the fire.
Police officers encouraged one resident two doors down from the flaming building to at least be prepared to evacuate his home in case the fire reached his residence, however it did not.
The wooden house burned hot and fast until what remained was a single flame, emanating out of what used to be the back of the house, from an old natural gas line.
Shelbyville Street was shut down from Pine Street to Center Street by Center Police Department and Center Fire Department until the firemen cleared the scene.
Public records indicate the home is owned by Clifton McLendon. The property was not being lived in at the time of the fire.
