Westport fire guts home

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Smoke puffs still emanate from under the roof line. Staff Photos/Alvin Reiner
The barn in the foreground was saved by the action of the firefighters. Staff Photos/Alvin Reiner
(l-r) Jerry Sherman and Westport Fire Chief Jim Westover discuss the previous night's fire. Staff Photos/Alvin Reiner
Jerry Sherman cleans up some of the debris surrounding the former dwelling. Staff Photos/Alvin Reiner

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February 8, 2012

ALVIN REINER Press-Republican The Press Republican Wed Feb 08, 2012, 03:46 PM EST

WESTPORT — An early morning fire gutted a two-story dwelling at 530 Route 22, forcing two teenagers to flee the flames.

“When I came over the horizon (on Route 22 from Westport), I saw nothing but flames,” said Westport Fire Chief Jim Westover.

“As I pulled up, I could also see and hear wires popping and snapping. It was cooking something good.”

WENT FAST

The late-1800s, two-story, wood-frame farmhouse is owned by Jerry and Debbie Sherman, who had been renting to Kriston Carlson and her family.

“It was gone before the fire departments got here,” Mr. Sherman said, who lives a few hundred feet away.

“When I opened up the door to my house, I could see the flames quite clearly.”

INJURED WHILE ESCAPING

Around 1:30 in the morning, the Shermans were awakened by Carlson’s two teens, Alexander and Moira Steele, who had been sleeping in the home at the time. Carlson was working a late shift, so she was not home.

Mr. Sherman said Alexander apparently woke up and quickly roused his sister.

“Thank goodness nobody was killed,” Mr. Sherman said. “I’m so glad the kids got out.”

The Westport Ambulance Squad transported the teens to Elizabethtown Community hospital to have them checked out for smoke inhalation.

In escaping, Alexander hurt his wrist and Moria her ankle.

Essex County Emergency Services Deputy Director Michael Blaise said Alexander rescued his sister from the burning house.

“He woke her up in her bedroom, smashed a window, and they both jumped onto the front porch (roof), then onto the ground from the front porch.

“They didn’t have much on, just the clothes they were wearing to bed.”

Blaise said the young man should be commended for his actions during what could have been a worse disaster for the family.

Alexander and Moria are in high school at Westport Central School. The family has lived in the home for about four years.

One or more of their cats may have perished in the fire.

CAUSE UNKNOWN

The dwelling is insured, though it is not known if the renters had insurance. The Shermans had repainted the interior, replaced the carpeting and installed fire alarms before the tenants moved in.

The cause of the fire had not been determined. Investigators could not enter the structure due to its instability.

BARN SAVED

The firefighters were able to keep the blaze from reaching a nearby barn.

“Another few minutes, and it would have gone up in flames, as the fire was burning the grass,” Mr. Sherman said.

Westport, Wadhams, Whallonsburg, Willsboro, Reber, Elizabethtown and Moriah fire departments responded to the blaze. Units remained there until 5:30 a.m., and a Westport truck returned midmorning when smoke emanated from the roof.

— Staff Writer Lohr McKinstry contributed to this report