Date: Fri 31-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

fire-Botsford-Geanuracos

Full Text:

Fire Severely Damages A Botsford Home

(with photos)

Firefighters responded to the Geanuracos residence at 96-98 Huntingtown Road

Wednesday evening to battle an accidental fire that extensively damaged the

large old house.

Fire Marshal George Lockwood reported Thursday that Botsford, Newtown Hook and

Ladder, and Sandy Hook firefighters responded to the 7:07 pm fire call. The

blaze caused an estimated $120,000 damage to the house, but there were no

injuries, he said.

Mr Lockwood said that he and the building inspector will be checking the

premises to find if the main house at the address must be demolished. The

residential property consist of a main house and addition.

Residents were working in the addition when one alerted the others that a fire

had started in the main house's basement, the fire marshal said.

Papers were being burned in a stove in the basement. Embers from that fire

went up a connected chimney that had collapsed, allowing the burning material

to enter the main floor of the house through a fireplace, igniting the first

floor and its contents, he said. The fire gutted the first floor.

The fire marshal estimates the fire had been burning for about 90 minutes

before it was discovered by the residents. Six people were in the building

when the fire was discovered, he said.

The second floor of the main house received smoke and water damage. The

building addition received smoke damage.

Residents were attempting to put out the fire when firefighters arrived at the

scene, Mr Lockwood said.

After water connections were made, firefighters extinguished the blaze in

about 20 minutes, he said.