Castle Hill Rd Home Damaged By Fire

By Andrew Gorosko

Firefighters from three volunteer fire companies converged at a Castle Hill Road home on the night of October 13 to battle a house fire, which caused an estimated $80,000 in damage to the single-story, white L-shaped structure which overlooks a small pond.

Firefighters from Newtown Hook and Ladder, Hawleyville, and Sandy Hook responded to the 8:35 pm call, which was reported as a furnace fire at 82 Castle Hill Road, said Corey Robinson, the first assistant chief of Newtown Hook and Ladder. About 40 firemen went to the scene.

Neither firefighters, nor the owner/resident of the house, Thomas Murphy, were injured in the fire. Mr Murphy had been home at the time of the blaze.

Mr Murphy’s pet cat, however, died in the fire, probably from smoke inhalation, Mr Robinson said.

Firefighters were able to knock down the blaze fairly quickly, but because the flames had spread into the attic, it became time-consuming to completely extinguish the fire, Mr Robinson said.

Firemen spent about 31/2  hours at the scene. Firemen made holes in the roof to ventilate the building, releasing heat from the fire that was burning in the attic.

The blaze caused fire damage to the first floor and attic, as well as heat, smoke, and water damage to the whole structure.

Deputy Fire Marshal Bill Halstead said a malfunctioning furnace caused the accidental fire. The furnace was situated on the first floor of the house. Mr Murphy was able to get out of the building without injury, Mr Halstead said.

The fire spread from the furnace to nearby walls, went through the first story ceiling, and then entered the attic, causing severe heat and smoke damage, he said.

Although damaged extensively, the house can be repaired and reoccupied, he said.

The structure formerly was used as a hunting lodge. The building is west of the intersection of Castle Hill Road and Taunton Lake Road.