Hermon fire partially destroys home

HERMON – Fire heavily damaged the second floor of a Geagans Way home on Saturday, although the couple living there soon may be able to return and live on the first floor that was largely unaffected by the fire.

For now, Richard Lindsey and his wife, whose name was not available, are staying with relatives in the area, Hermon Fire Chief Larry Willis said.

The damage to the first floor was largely limited to smoke and water, and Willis said they were able to get the furnace back on line. He said there wasn’t much damage to about three-quarters of the first floor.

The outcome wasn’t so good for the second floor, where the chimney fire spread to the upstairs walls. “The second floor is pretty much gutted out,” Willis said.

The fire was heaviest on the rear right side. The heat on that side was so intense it melted siding on a neighbor’s home about 30 feet away, he said.

The couple has insurance and the fire is considered accidental, although an investigator from the State Fire Marshal’s Office is expected to be at the home today to pinpoint what went wrong.

Willis said they know the fire started in the chimney, but it is unclear whether it ignited because of damage to the chimney or problems with the way the chimney was designed or installed.

“We want to nail down the real reason for the failure of the system,” Willis said.

Lindsey’s wife noticed the fire while in the kitchen, near the stove. Firefighters were called in about 6:34 a.m.

Richard Lindsey used a garden hose to fight the fire until an engine from Hermon and a tanker truck from the Hampden Fire Department arrived about 7 a.m. Willis said that although the main roads were largely clear, side roads still were covered with ice and travel was slow.

Firefighters from Levant and Hampden assisted Hermon, and Glenburn brought its system to replenish the firefighters’ self-contained breathing devices.

The Carmel Fire Department had its ambulance on scene, although Willis said there were no injuries. Carmel and Glenburn also had engines on standby, he said.