Center Fireman responded to a house fire around 7:15 Monday morning to a residence on Old Airport Road, in the 18-hundred block of County Road 3754. Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom says a shortage in an electrical strip where several other electrical appliances were plugged, including a heater, appeared to be the source of the blaze at the residence of Michael Smith. No one was reported home during the incident. Chief Byndom said fire destroyed one room of the house, and firemen were able to contain the blaze to avoid spreading--although the remainder of the structure had extensive smoke and water damage. The house was reported to be owned by D.S. Jones.

According to a Facebook post, Mike Smith has been a long-time driver for Texas Glacier Ice in Center. The family of three, including Smith, his wife and son, a seventh grader at Center ISD, lost all their belongings. If you can assist the Smith family with clothing, pots, pans, or any other household items, you’re asked to contact Bob Reeves at Texas Glacier Ice, 936-598-6600.