Roanoke police will offer free bicycle registration this holiday season to help reunite stolen bicycles with their owners.

When a stolen bicycle is recovered, it is often difficult for a citizen to prove that he or she owns the bike. When a bicycle is registered, the ownership information is entered into a police database and the owner is provided with a written document of ownership.

When a stolen bicycle is found, police can search the database to determine the owner and return the bike.

Registration will take place Dec. 29 at the Roanoke Police Department Southeast office at Jamison Avenue and 11th Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A second registration will occur at the Northeast office, at 1502 Williamson Road, Dec. 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

-Lindsey Nair

Faulty fireplace leads to fire damage to walls

A Roanoke home was damaged early Monday when a fire in the fireplace spread to the walls of the house, officials said.

Firefighters were called to a house in the 1800 block of Mercer Avenue Northwest about 3:20 a.m. Monday. They found smoke inside the house and fire burning within the walls around the chimney, said Roanoke Fire-EMS Deputy Chief David Hoback.

To extinguish the flames, firefighters had to break into the walls, causing structural damage to the home. The fire was quickly extinguished.

Investigators determined that a faulty flue allowed the fire that was burning in the fireplace to extend into the walls. Structural damage was estimated at $15,000, with damage to contents estimated at $4,000.

Hoback said the house was not so badly damaged that the homeowner could not stay there, but the man indicated he might stay with relatives anyway.

-Lindsey Nair

Apartment fire caused by children with matches

A fire that damaged a Roanoke apartment on Sunday was caused by children playing with matches, officials said.

Three people were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in an apartment in the 2000 block of Indian Village Lane Southeast. The fire was contained to a bedroom.

The fire, which started about 12:25 p.m., caused $2,000 in damage to the structure and $3,000 in damage to the contents. Roanoke Fire-EMS Assistant Chief David Hoback said the fire is considered accidental and no charges will be filed.

-Lindsey Nair

Firefighters rescue dog from burning house

Roanoke County firefighters rescued a pet dog from a burning house Monday morning, but the dog and its owners will be displaced from their home for the holidays.

Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Department spokeswoman Jennifer Conley-Sexton said firefighters responded to a house on Bonsack Road just before 7 a.m. Monday. When they arrived, they found smoke and flames visible inside a two-story brick house.

Two adults who live in the house escaped without injury, but they were distraught over their two pet dogs. Conley-Sexton said firefighters found one dog in the back yard and the second dog inside. Both were unharmed.

Because of extremely low temperatures Monday morning, Roanoke County officials called for Botetourt County to bring a tanker truck for use as a back-up water source.

The fire was extinguished in just more than an hour, Conley-Sexton said. A damage estimate was not available Monday, and fire investigators were still working to determine the cause of the fire. The fire damage was contained to the kitchen and back porch, but heat and smoke damage extended throughout the house.

The family will not be able to stay in the house because of the damage. The American Red Cross is assisting them.

-Lindsey Nair