By Liz Page
STAMFORD – Stamford firefighters, along with several mutual aid departments, started the New Year off with a fire that destroyed a large home on the Delaware/Schoharie County line Jan.1. The call went out at 12:40 p.m. after the fire was reported by multiple sources traveling state Route.10 at the intersection with Taylor Road.
The second home is owned by John Chicavich and no one was at home at the time of the blaze.
The first report was the smoke was coming from the windows, the second report said there were flames showing. Stamford Fire Chief Don VanEtten said the home was fully involved when firefighters arrived on the scene and he immediately began calling mutual aid for tankers, engines and manpower to the scene. A total of 10 departments and agencies responded to the scene with at least 75 first responders arriving to do battle. Firefighters remained on the scene for the next eight hours.
Water sources were established at Rexmere pond in the village of Stamford and a pond on Havrish Road in the town of Jefferson. A hydrant near Utsayantha Lake was also used, according to VanEtten.
In addition to battling the fire, first responders also battled cold temperatures, which led to complications with some apparatus freezing and creating icy conditions underfoot. There were no injuries, said VanEtten.
The fire remains under investigation, according to VanEtten, and is being handled by the Schoharie County Fire Coordinator's office. However, it is believed accidental in nature.
It is the second major fire in the Stamford area in just over two weeks, drawing first responders from a wide area.
VanEtten said NYSEG was called and arrived on scene in minutes to shut off power and create safe operating conditions for those working at the scene. He said emergency medical services to provide rehab for firefighters were provided by Delaware County EMS, AMR, Hobart EMS, Schoharie County Emergency Services and Stamford EMS.
Mutual aid departments responding included: Hobart, Grand Gorge, Davenport, East Meredith, Roxbury, Jefferson, Summit, Charlotteville and the Oneonta Fire Department, Oneonta Firefighters Local 2408 and Walton Fire Department.
Walton covered a motor vehicle accident in the Stamford Fire District while on stand-by at Stamford's station, providing coverage while Stamford firefighters were working on scene.
Traffic was rerouted around the scene at various locations by fire police and the state Department of Transportation provided assistance with salting and plowing.
Eklund Farm Machinery brought in an excavator to help firefighters get to the stubborn hot spots. Grand Gorge and Jefferson provided mutual aid overnight so Stamford could get its apparatus thawed out and back in service. They did return Friday morning to extinguish a rekindle of the debris.
Also assisting at the scene were state police and the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office and a Firefighter Assists and Search Team (FAST) team, along with fire investigators from the two counties.
VanEtten also thanked the Stewart's Shop which donated refreshments.
The home is a total loss and although Red Cross was called to assist, the couple staying at the home declined the assistance as they were returning to their primary home downstate.
Stamford firefighters were back in service at 8:04 p.m. New Year's Day.
VanEtten issued a thank you to all who responded. “We appreciate everyone who responded.” said VanEtten.
Flames roar from the front of a home just over the Schoharie County line on state Rt. 10 New Year’s Day as firefighters work to get the first water flowing. Photo by Liz Page
Stamford firefighters work to give an initial attack on a fire that destroyed a home at the intersection of state Rt. 10 and Taylor Road in the town of Jefferson on New Year’s Day. They were on the scene for eight hours along with 10 mutual aid departments. Photo by Liz Page
Firefighters continue to work on hot spots at a home on state Rt. 10 New Year’s Day that destroyed an old farmhouse at the intersection with Taylor Road in the town of Jefferson. Photo by Liz Page
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