Fire of an unknown origin early this morning destroyed a store room owned by J. H. Eaton, a garage adjoining the store and a store room owned by L. D. Eaton in the village of Rome. The total damage is estimated at approximately $5,000. There was no insurance on the Edwards property and only a small amount on the Eaton property it was said. The buildings are located on the highway a mile and a half west of the Rome high school.

Billy Robinson, returning from Huntington shortly after mid-night, saw a man running from the vicinity of the buildings, he said this morning. He gave it no consideration until a short time later when he learned of the fire. The Proctorville fire department was summoned but the fire had gained such headway that is was impossible to check it, and all three buildings were destroyed.

Authorities were unable to determine where the fire started or what caused it. The J. H. Edwards building was not occupied as a store but was being used for the purpose of storing furniture belonging to E. E. Edwards, son of J. H. Edwards. The building and all furniture was destroyed. Adjoining the store building was a private garage in which E. E. Edwards had his automobile stored. J. H. Edwards succeeded in getting the garage door open but was unable to get the machine out and it burned with the garage.

On the opposite side of the highway the Eaton building had taken fire. The building was being used for the storage of spray and other farm material. Firemen and onlookers were unable to battle this blaze successfully because of a series of explosions occurring inside the building.

Due to the mysteriousness of the fire’s origin and the strangeness of the circumstances generally, Sheriff E. W. Bennett has started an investigation to determine the cause.

Mr. Edwards whose furniture was destroyed is at this time occupying with his wife furnished rooms at the home of Mrs. V. A. Braley of Proctorville. He is operating a small store in Proctorville.

Ironton Tribune, 7 December 1932, Wednesday, Page 3.