November 29, 2007

Dave Matthews Band's bass player, Stefan Lessard and his son escaped a morning house fire around 7:30 a.m. Both were able to get out before his two-story house became engulfed in flames. The Morgantown Road house has extensive damage.

The fire was so powerful that it took a team of 40 firefighers from five area departments to battle the blaze. Investigators say the exterior of the house was cedar, causing the structure to burn at a rapid pace.

The inferno caused extensive damage,even part of the roof collapsed.
Lessard stayed on the scene with friends and family Thursday morning. He will be talking to investigators to figure out what caused the fire.

Albemarle County Fire Officials are investigating the fire. They think it started on the first floor.

"They seem to be doing well, we've checked to make sure they have a place to stay and things like that" said James Barber, Assistant Chief in Fire Prevention.

At least five fire companies battled the fire.