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Newton Fire Department Captain Melanie Smith says a Monday afternoon fire that destroyed a home in Newton is believed to have began under or around a water heater. It happened shortly after 2:00 at the Marilyn Williams residence at 203 Bill Rowe Road on the southwest side of town. Captain Smith said Williams tried to put the fire out, but it quickly spread out of control so she fled out of the house. A short time later the water heater exploded. Firefighters from Newton, Trout Creek, Bon Wier, and Burkeville all worked together to douse the flames. Meanwhile, with afternoon temperatures in the low 90s, Newton County deputies brought water to the hot and exhausted firefighters.