Woodruff Fire Department; Woodruff, South Carolina

The press box at Woodruff High School's football stadium was destroyed by fire late Tuesday night. Spartanburg School District 4 Superintendent Rallie Liston was on the scene at the stadium, named for legendary Woodruff coach Willie Varner, at about 11 p.m. He said firefighters had the blaze contained, but that the press box was a "total loss." Liston said the fire was reported at about 10 p.m., but it had apparently been smoldering for some time. Woodruff head coach Brian Lane, when reached on his cell phone at about 10:45 p.m., said he was unaware of the fire. Liston said authorities were working to determine the cause of the fire, but the working theory was that a lightning strike started the blaze. "Even the fence is still arcing in places, and that leads us to believe lightning hit it and shorted something out," Liston said. "There was no evidence of any vandalism." The stadium was renovated in 2004, but Liston said the press box was not part of the update. He said the press box was designed by Varner, who died earlier this year. "It's unfortunate that it happened, but it looks like something that couldn't be helped," Liston said. "We're going to continue to investigate, but we will build it back. We'll build it better, and it will be ready when the Wolverines play here in August."

A fire that broke out shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday at a home in Woodruff claimed the lives of two people. The Spartanburg County Coroner's office has identified the victims as Roger Dale Ivey, 60, and Beverly Renee Ivey, 46, both of 1737 Kilgore Bridge Road. Tippy, the couple's 12-year-old mixed-breed pet dog, also died in the fire. Maj. Dan Johnson with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's office said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it appeared to be accidental. Steve Quinn, Woodruff fire chief, said firefighters responded at 5:41 a.m. to the home off Kilgore Bridge Road near Highway 221. "When we arrived on scene - knowing we were dispatched to a structure fire with entrapment - we found about three-quarters of the house burned," he said. "We had the fire contained within about 10 minutes and made entry and found the victims in a bedroom." Stephen Lully, with the Spartanburg County Coroner's Office, said the couple died from thermal burns and carbon monoxide poisoning because of the house fire. The couple's extended family, including their daughter, Ruth Lowe, who lives next door, gathered at the home Thursday. "They were wonderful people," Lowe said. "She loved to do arts and crafts and research our family's history. She would make something beautiful out of anything. He was a mechanic and a handyman who loved to do woodworking. They were both family-oriented. We are going to miss them so much." Lowe said she was awakened Thursday by a frantic phone call from her mother just moments before she died. "She told me the house was on fire and that they were trying to get out and that I should call the fire department," she said. "I called 911, but they didn't make it." Lully said it appeared the couple had attempted to escape the house via a window but had failed. The family said Renee Ivey was a native of Pickens, and Roger Ivey moved to the Upstate in 1968 from Georgia. Renee Ivey ran a small business from the home. Roger Ivey was a metalworker for a local automotive company. He was a former Marine who served in the Vietnam War, earning a Purple Heart and other medals for distinguished service. "Both of them were caring people," said James New, Roger Ivey's brother. "If you had a problem, they would help you. If you needed a place to stay, they would bring you into their home. They would have done anything for anybody."

December 11, 2008