Photo submitted by BHP reader

Updated 11:40 a.m. Saturday
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
A Governors Club home was partially destroyed late Friday night and early this morning; a chimney fire is suspected as its cause but has not been confirmed, Brentwood Fire Chief Brian Goss told BHP Saturday morning.

According to Goss, homeowner Tom Vogel had a wood-burning fire Friday night and was watching his flat-screen TV above the fireplace when it went off. He went to check the power then heard  popping and cracking in the wall. He touched the wall, felt it was hot and called 9-1-1.

When the first engine arrived, heavy black smoke was seen coming from the home's eaves and windows, Goss said.

There were no injuries to the family or firefighters, Goss said. Three family pets, a bird, a snake and a cat were all rescued. “The cat actually ‘self-rescued’ by running out the minute we opened the door,” the chief said.

All of the department’s engines responded. As well, about a dozen off-duty firefighters were called back to help. Franklin Fire Department sent one engine and a battalion chief to help.

“Most of the first floor is intact and salvageable,” Goss said, but a true assessment will not be known until an inspector can get in.

“In about 10 minutes of arrival we had a partial roof collapse,” Goss said. The slate roof added to the complexity of fighting the flames. Each slate is about the size and weight of a brick, so there is a safety issue when the slates fall. The slates also hold in heat and are difficult to remove, which “impedes us with ventilation trying to get in,” Goss added.

“The sheer weight also causes a roof collapse a lot faster,” he said.

The Vogels, Tom and Denise, have four children. According to Goss, the family declined help from the American Red Cross saying they had neighbors they could stay with last night.

Asked if fighting a fire in a gated community is harder than other subdivisions, Goss said no. By code, “they are required to  have emergency entrances,” the chief said.