By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Joe Benjamin stood less than a block away from his Fountain Avenue home Tuesday night as firefighters fought a blaze that was burning away five years of his life.
Benjamin is luckier than some, having escaped the home just a short time before the blaze broke out inside the dwelling.
The front door of the home was held tight by the pressure from the fire, Benjamin said.
Benjamin did not know what could have caused the fire.
Brewton firefighters, along with volunteer firefighters, worked to kill the blaze in the home. Personnel on the scene expected the fire would take several hours to extinguish completely.
Willie J. Ellis, a cousin of Benjamin's, said the house fire victim would be spending some time at his home.
Brewton Police responded to the fire just before 6 p.m. Monday along with volunteer firefighters.