Fire Levels Rent-House in West End, LIVINGSTON, April 30, 2008 - At approximately 2:20 am, on April 30, 2008, a house fire totaled a rent-house in the West End of Livingston at 101 Holly Street right off of Martin Luther King Boulevard. The Occupants, James Pierce of Livingston and Merisha Johnson were in the house when he says the house shook. Pierce thinks it was the water heater that caused fire because it exploded. The fire spread to an un-occupied house next door and ruined the inside of that house. Both houses were totaled. Three fire engines from Livingston Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the scene and a surplus of volunteer firemen. Corky Cochran and Mark Taylor were also at the scene of the fire. In addition, Darrell Neuman, Ronnie Bogany, and Kevin Ward from the Livingston Police Department were at the scene lending assistance. Neighbors were gathered at the end of the street watching the firemen battle the blaze. Both Pierce and Johnson were able to get out of the house safely. The house was owned by Maggie Elby of Livingston. The fire was out and under control shortly after 3 am.
