The home of Dale Fowkes, a Mona rancher and Juab School Board member, was gutted by fire last week.
The home, about three miles north of Mona on North Main or old U.S. 91, was destroyed. "What the fire didn't get the smoke did," said Greg Newton, Mona fire chief.He said the fire started downstairs sometime Thursday morning. Some Union Pacific Railroad workers who were passing on the highway noticed smoke pouring from the windows, called 911 and stopped to help.
They located Donna Fowkes, Dale Fowkes' wife, who had moved the family vehicles from danger but seemed to be in shock. Fowkes was located at his shop and rushed to the scene.
Damage is estimated at more than $120,000. The source of the fire, thought to be the furnace, will be determined by fire inspectors.
Donna Fowkes was transported to Central Valley Medical Center by East Juab Ambulance. She was kept under observation for smoke inhalation and was later released.
"People have been so very kind," said Darlene Fowkes, mother of Dale Fowkes and a former Mona City Council member. "We were blessed that no one was seriously injured. You can replace houses but not people."