PHOTO UPDATE: FIRE DESTROYS SUMMERS HOUSE ON CROOKED RUN - Family Escapes Barefoot Into Yard

(01/10/2011)

Family flees from burning house

Neighbors said a three-year-old child sleeping on a couch awakened the family about 2:20 a.m. Saturday, with smoke and flames spreading through the house.

Dean Summers and three children escaped the flames, running barefoot into the yard. Summers received minor burns to the hands.

Summer's wife, Julia, and another child were visiting in Spencer when the fire broke out.

The 80-year-old structure was fully involved when the Upper West Fork VFD arrived with seven firemen, pumpers and tankers, said fire Chief Randy Perkins. The Arnoldsburg VFD responded with a tanker.

Perkins said fireman remained on scene until about 7 a.m.

The family lost everything. They have reportedly been taken in by a next-door neighbor for the time being.

Snow, slick roads and 20 degree temperatures made fire fighting efforts a challenge.

Crooked Run Road is off Nicut Road, a short distance from Rt. 16 at Orma.

A Sycamore driver lost control Saturday afternoon on the hazardous highway near the County Park, the vehicle plunged over a hill. The driver was not injured.