By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG
BEEKMANTOWN — Jan Garrant was driving near her Seymour Road home Thursday evening when she saw flashing lights approaching.
When she pulled over to let the vehicle pass, the Beekmantown woman didn’t know crews were on their way to her ranch-style home, where flames were erupting inside the attic.
Garrant followed the lights onto her road, where she was confronted by dozens of firefighters, plumes of black smoke and bright flames leaping into the darkened sky.
“There was heavy, heavy smoke showing at the time, and flames were coming out of the roof after,” Beekmantown Assistant Chief Jim Favreau said Friday morning.
Soon after the 6 p.m. emergency call, firefighters from Beekmantown, West Chazy, District 3, Morrisonville and South Plattsburgh descended on the home, where the local mother lived alone.
When crews first arrived, they were unsure whether anyone was home and battled the thick smoke inside searching for Garrant.
When they learned she wasn't in the residence, Favreau said, volunteers retreated and resumed firefighting efforts outside, where the fire was continuing to tear through the roof.
Eventually, volunteers were able to calm the flames but not before much of the charred roof collapsed into the smoke-and-water-damaged residence.
“The house is totaled,” Favreau said Friday.
Despite the interior damage, he thinks Garrant may be able to salvage some of her possessions.
No injuries were reported.
A pet cat was outside at the time and was not harmed, Favreau said.
Garrant, who is insured, is now staying with relatives.
Favreau said the blaze originated in the attic, though its exact cause is still being investigated.
Crews from the Chazy, Cumberland Head and Altona fire departments provided standby support during the fire.
E-mail Andrea VanValkeburg at:
avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com
