Saranac family displaced by blaze

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November 18, 2009

Garage also ignites, but building, contents saved

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Wed Nov 18, 2009, 11:06 PM EST

SARANAC — Mike and Michelle LaRock were devastated when they returned to their home midday Wednesday and found it destroyed by fire.

"They were obviously very upset but were glad that no one was hurt," Saranac Fire Chief Don Uhler said after the midday blaze at the LaRocks' Ore Bed Road residence.

A passing correction officer was the first to spot thick smoke billowing above the dense wood line that hid the couple's home from view, about a half mile from the rural roadway.

With a number of Saranac firefighters already at the station for an animal-rescue presentation, they had a fast response, but the fire's devastation was already well under way.

"We could literally see the smoke from the fire house, and we're 10 miles away," Uhler said.

"It was pretty well advanced by the time the first truck arrived.

"The house had flames coming out of every window and every door ... and part of the roof had already collapsed."

As crews from Saranac, Cadyville, Dannemora and Lyon Mountain fire departments responded to the 10:30 a.m. emergency, volunteers began focusing their efforts on the LaRocks' garage, which contained a boat and an array of expensive tools.

Uhler said the garage sat about 30 feet from the residence and "was just starting to catch fire. They were able to save that," although it did sustain some exterior fire damage.

A pontoon boat nearby was also heavily damaged by the blaze.

About 40 volunteers remained at the home for about three hours battling the fire, which brought Morrisonville crews out with additional standby support.

No injuries were reported, and Uhler credited the fast actions of Assistant Chief T.J. Strack will helping save the LaRocks' other property.

Uhler said the couple are now coping with the loss of their "beautiful log cabin" and the death of their pet dog, which was inside the residence at the time of the fire.

Officials believe the fire originated from the LaRocks' wood-stove boiler on a side porch of the residence.

Uhler said the LaRocks were insured and will be staying with friends and family as they recover.

"They have a tremendous amount of family support there for them, so I think that they'll be OK in that regard."

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com