By Liz Page
FERGUSONVILLE – Fire destroyed a two-story home on County Route 9 early Sunday morning, as firefighters from Davenport, East Meredith, and Pindars Corners got the initial call just before 3 a.m..
Fred Utter, second assistant chief with the Davenport Fire Department, said he arrived on the scene within 10 minutes of the call to find it fully involved. "I could see the glow in the sky from about two miles away," said Utter. He called Schenevus and Charlotteville for tankers to respond to the scene. Tankers from Meridale and Stamford also responded to the scene.
Members of the Lomangino family were staying at the home for the long 4th of July weekend, with as many as 15 people there at one time. All of the occupants, nine people got out of the burning home along with the family dogs. Utter said one person tripped in the confusion of getting out, but was treated at the scene without transport.
Charlie Lomangino said the neighbor, Christine Fisher, heard the commotion across the road and called 911.
He said a light had been flickering in the bedroom, but they were all heading to bed, so he simply turned it off. His wife woke him up later to say she smelled smoke. At first he thought it was the neighbor's wood stove, but his wife reminded him it was hot out and she didn't believe that was the source. When he got up to check, he found fire in the light fixture and went to get a fire extinguisher from the kitchen. Others went outside and got a garden hose. They called for everyone to get out of the house. He said the fire spread quickly.
Utter said the faulty light fixture is believed the cause and the construction of the circa 1870s home allowed the fire to spread quickly. "Maybe if they had dialed 911 right away, it might have been okay," said Utter.
Firefighters were on the scene until around 8 a.m. and were called back for a rekindle at around 8:30 a.m. and again later in the morning as Utter got an excavator to pull down the remaining portions of the building so fire crews could douse them with water and get them out completely.
Some family members traveled downstate on Sunday to get car keys. They lost their car keys and everything in the fire, said Utter.
The home is owned by Robert Lomangino, son of the late Leo Lomangino. "He's upset because it was part of his father's legacy and now it is gone," said Utter. Family member lamented the loss of the home, but were thankful no one was injured and that everyone got out safe. The extended family enjoys visiting the area.
The farm at Buttermilk Falls was owned by Leo Lomangino, along with the property at 3009 County Highway 9. It is now owned by his son, Robert Lomangino. The Lomangino trust contributed to the Davenport Fire Dept. earlier this year through a trust fund in the late Leo Lomangino's name, according to Utter. A new pickup truck used for EMS was donated to the department through the trust and is known as 761.
Utter said 25 to 30 firefighters worked at the scene to get the fire under control.
The home has now been razed.
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