Around $50,000 in damage occurred Friday night to a home off South Franklin Road as a result of an accidental fire.

The incident was reported about 10:10 p.m. at 176 Glendale Drive, southeast of Snow’s Garage, according to Harold Hooker, assistant chief of the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department.

“It was a well-involved house fire and attic fire,” Hooker said in describing the scene greeting those who responded. Heavy flames were apparent from the front of the structure, with fire shooting from window and door sections and gables at the ends of the wood-frame home of about six rooms.

In all, about 30 firefighters were on hand, including members of the Bannertown and Four-Way volunteer departments along with the Franklin unit, Hooker said.

They had the blaze under control in around 15 minutes, but personnel remained on the scene until about 3:30 a.m. Saturday removing attic insulation and other materials due to the extent of the flames.

Another complication involved a live power line that was on the ground when firefighters arrived, which resulted from a wire being burned by the flames shooting out one side of the house.

“I guess that was one of the main hazards,” Hooker said of the live wire. “It was still popping up and sparking.”

One man lived alone in the home and wasn’t there when the blaze broke out, Hooker said. The name of that occupant was not available Saturday. He was renting the home from someone named Tate who lives on Willis Gap Road in Virginia, the fire department spokesman added.

The occupant had been taken by some neighbors to another home in Virginia because the house on Glendale Drive was having electrical problems, Hooker said. “When they returned, they were the ones who actually saw the house on fire.”

An electrical malfunction was deemed to be the cause of the blaze, which resulted in the man losing his possessions along with the heavy structural damage. There was no insurance on either the house or its contents, Hooker said.

The occupant is being assisted by the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

No injuries were reported among fire personnel.

The Mount Airy Rescue Squad and Surry EMS also responded.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.