FLAMES DESTROY ROCKVIEW HOME

ROCKVIEW -- A two-story home went up in flames Sunday in Rockview while firefighters and residents blamed the destruction on the small town's lack of fire hydrants.

Firefighters from Chaffee, Scott City and N.B.C., New Hamburg-Benton-Commerce Fire Protection District, battled the blaze at Ed and Barb Payne's home until midafternoon. Firefighters were called to the scene about 11 a.m.

"If this would've happened at night," Gloria Selby said, "they would be pulling bodies out of there."

Selby, a member of the water sewage committee in Rockview, said her group just completed a state grant request for fire hydrants. She said even if the grant is approved, it might be two years before the hydrants are installed.

"This is not safe," she said. "If there would've been snow on the ground, the fire trucks wouldn't have gotten here this fast. Something has got to be done."

Tanker trucks from Chaffee and N.B.C. were making the return trips to the station to fill up with water.

Chaffee Fire Capt. Bob Sanders said at least 30 firefighters battled the blaze, with three fire trucks kept in rotation between the station and the scene.

John Sachem, an instructor with the University of Missouri-Columbia's Fire and Rescue Training Institute, was visiting friends near Rockview and helped area firefighters.

"Fire hydrants would've helped," he said.

Sanchem said fire crews transporting water to the scene contained the fire, but their efforts were time-consuming.

"They're doing the best they can since there are no hydrants," he said.

Neighbors said the Paynes' home was more than 90 years old.

"This was one of my favorite homes," Selby said.

Selby said she hoped the fire would prompt a greater push for fire hydrants in the town.

"This was one of the most beautiful homes here," she said. "Next time, I hope someone doesn't lose their life. We're at risk here."

Officials said the fire started at the rear of the house.

The Paynes weren't home when the blaze started.

No one was injured.