West Frankfort residents escape Thursday afternoon fire

A pair of West Frankfort residents were able to safely escape an early afternoon fire at their home, 707 S. Sunnyslope in West Frankfort. Witnesses tell FranklinCounty-News.com that when the fire broke out, the older couple were trying to save valuables in the home, when a passerby helped lead them to safety.

Fire crews are still on the scene of the blaze, with firefighters from Benton and Johnston City there on the scene and in mutual aid.

This is the second structure fire for West Frankfort firefighters today, after a fire at daybreak destroyed a storage building owned by Tim Murphy, at the heart of the Candy Cane Lane Christmas display. That building is a total loss, and the cause of the fire has not bee determined..