Chief: AuSable Forks blaze fought from above

Dec. 30--AuSABLE FORKS -- The home at 30 Broad Lane ravaged by fire Thursday afternoon is likely a total loss, AuSable Forks Fire Chief Howard Drake said.

"It's completely lost upstairs," he told the Press-Republican Thursday. "The bottom half is mostly all water and smoke damage."

AERIAL ATTACK

About 60 firefighters turned out to fight the blaze, 33 of whom are members of the AuSable Forks Volunteer Fire Department, Drake said.

Upper Jay, Jay, Keeseville and South Plattsburgh fire departments responded as mutual aid.

Coordinators from Clinton and Essex county also went to the fire.

Peru's crew stood by at AuSable Forks Fire's station, and AuSable Forks EMS responded to the site of the fire.

"There was fire coming out the upstairs window and lots of smoke, according to the first officer on scene," Drake said.

"We tried an interior attack but it was right up through the attic and starting through the roof so we called in an aerial (truck) from Keeseville and attacked it from there."

The volunteers also utilized a deck gun, which provides an aimable high-powered jet of water and foam to smother the fire, he said.

They drew water from the Town of Jay hydrant system.

CATS, GUINEA PIG

Jacqueline and William Wardell lived at the home with their granddaughters, Brianna and Chastity, neighbor Pat Douglas told the Press-Republican earlier.

Her husband, Bob, along with neighbors Joe Rondeau and Kelly Murphy helped rescue Brianna from a small roof area near her bedroom window using a ladder.

Chastity escaped with the family's three dogs, Mrs. Douglas said.

Initial reports of the fire indicated a person might have been trapped inside.

Drake heard one of the girls tried to go back in the house using a ladder to save cats.

"So I think that was the confusion of somebody still being trapped inside.

"It is believed that two cats and a guinea pig did not make it out," he added.

The North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross provided assistance to the Wardells.

ACCIDENTAL

The Wardells have insurance on the home, Essex County Emergency Services Director Donald Jaquish said earlier.

Jaquish said Friday afternoon the fire was accidental in nature and that county investigators would release its cause after conferring with insurance investigators.

Email Cara Chapman:

cchapman@pressrepublican.com

Twitter: @PPR_carachapman

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