Press-Republican

Local News

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
December 21, 2009

Five displaced, pets killed in Wilmington fire

By Casey Ryan Vock

WILMINGTON — A family of five was displaced and their pets were killed by a fire that erupted Monday afternoon in their living room and destroyed their entire home.

Fire departments from Wilmington, Lake Placid, Upper Jay and Keene were called to a chalet-style, one-story A-frame home at 37 Juniper Hill Lane at about 12:36 p.m. for a report of an engaged fire.

“We could see the column of smoke from the fire station,” said Wilmington First Assistant Fire Chief Randy Preston, who was one of the first firefighters to arrive. “It was fully involved.”

Although still standing, the home — occupied by Randy Patterson, Tammy Knox and three children — is a total loss.

“They lost everything,” Preston said, adding that one child is about 8 years old, and the other two are both 5 years old. “Several pets all perished in the fire. They had both dogs and cats.”

None of the people who live at the home were there when the blaze started, according to Preston.

Patterson’s brother, who is believed to have reported the fire, was the only person at the home when the fire started, he said.

“The cause is still under investigation by the Essex County Cause and Origin Team,” Preston said. “But it appears it was possibly started by ashes from a wood stove, which was in the living room.”

About 40 firefighters battled the blaze throughout the afternoon Monday, while additional personnel stood by at the Jay station. The units were all back in service by about 5 p.m.

“There was a hydrant system there, so we had no problems with water,” Preston said. “However, the building had a second roof on it, which was made of tin.”

Preston explained that a fire would have burned through a wooden roof, allowing air to escape and water to penetrate the top of the structure. A tin roof, on the other hand, “confines” fire and “makes it very difficult to fight,” he said.

“It’s like being in an oven.”

The home’s walls were made of Homasote, a brand-name cellulose-based fiberboard, which Preston said — combined with the tin roof — led to the fire’s swift spread through the structure.

“When it catches fire, it’s like gasoline,” he said. “That is how the fire progressed so quickly from the time we were called to being fully involved. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before it was a total loss.”

The couple and the children are staying in Lake Placid with Patterson’s parents, according to Preston.

“We notified the Red Cross after the fire this afternoon,” he said.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Breaking News
  • City fire call

    Smoke in the basement at 11 Lorraine St. in Plattsburgh likely a dryer fire.

    Updated: 1h
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix