SARANAC — An early-morning fire ruined the opening of Christmas presents for a Saranac family, but everyone managed to escape unharmed.
The fire started at about 5:10 a.m. at a home owned by Whitey and Flo Keese on a remote stretch of Cold Brook Road.
The Keese’s daughter was living in the converted summer camp with her two teen-age daughters, Saranac Fire Chief Donald Uhler said.
The residents woke up shortly after 5 a.m. in excitement to open their gifts. As they were unwrapping, their glee turned to fright as they noticed flames shooting out of a back bedroom where one of the girls had been sleeping moments before.
The fire shot through the old wooden structure causing Keese and the girls to make a run for it.
“By the time they got out, flames were shooting through the roof it moved that fast,” Uhler said.
The girls and their mother sought to escape by car, but soon realized the keys were still inside the raging house.
They were forced to run in pajamas and socks about a half-mile down the road to a neighbor. In their haste, they left a car door ajar.
“When we got there, there was no one to be found and we saw that car door open and our hearts just jumped into our throats,” Uhler said.
“It took about a half-hour to figure out that no one was in the house.”
The roof had already collapsed by the time firefighters arrived, and there was no saving the house.
Some nearby buildings were saved as firefighters from Saranac received help from Dannemora, Lyon Mountain and Cadyville departments.
Bloomingdale and Morrisonville firefighters stood guard at the Saranac stations in case another fire erupted somewhere.
“That’s one thing about volunteers, they always show up when you need them, even on Christmas Day,” Uhler said.
The Keese’s home did not have a wood stove or a fire place, Uhler said, and it appeared that the cause of the fire was electrical.
Firefighters spent about four hours making sure the flames were quelled as the Keese’s sought refuge at Whitey and Flo’s home where they will be staying.
Firefighters were called back when flames re-kindled for a short time at about 4 p.m.
“I feel bad that this had to happen to them on Christmas, but we are all glad that no one was hurt and they all got out safe,” Uhler said.
E-mail Joe LoTemplio at:
jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Saranac family loses home to fire
- Breaking News
-
-
City fire call
Smoke in the basement at 11 Lorraine St. in Plattsburgh likely a dryer fire.
-
City fire call
- Local News
-
-
Former Plattsburgh man sentenced for killing wife
Frank Dore, 57, of Bridgeport, Conn., was sentenced in court last week to 28 years in prison after killing his wife, Patti Rothermel-Dore, in their Connecticut home in 2010.
-
Nicaragua students tour North Country health-care facilities
A pair of 20-year-old medical students from Nicaragua have toured several health-care facilities. They are especially impressed with the physician-patient relationship in America, along with the advanced technology.
-
Sex-crime cases
Five men recently appearing before the bench in Franklin County in separate incidents on charges involving rape, child porn and sexual contact with females as young as 6.
-
Essex County will fund Horace Nye environmental study
The $3,000 evaluation is part of the process of marketing and selling the money-losing Nursing Home in Elizabethtown.
-
Westport fire guts home
Teens escape early morning fire.
-
Peru School looks at relocating sixth grade
Parents and teachers are concerned by the possible change, which is being considered to cut costs.
-
Schools can exceed tax cap in some areas
BOCES business manager explains tax-cap-levy calculation.
-
Town hiring notice causes confusion
The Town of Malone's attempt to contract with an administrator for a business-loan program may not have followed state-grant guidelines.
-
County wants better work-hour tracking
Franklin County plans to get more out of its employee time-card system by tying it to payroll and eliminating cumbersome paper reports.
-
Child's death prompts Senate to pass new bill
Now in the hands of the Assembly, it would put teeth in the law when a licensed driver under the influence of alcohol is caught supervising another at the wheel.
-
Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
Asian Buffet Hibachi and Sushi has been closed since a sprinkler system malfunctioned Dec. 19, 2011.
-
Skating, skiing highlight carnival today
Saranac Lake's showcase event continues through Sunday.
-
Cookbook Contest returns for second year
New crockpot category added to Press-Republican Recipe Contest.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 9, 2012
Common Council agenda planned out; Rouses Point Board working on budget.
- February 8, 2012
-
Schools can exceed tax cap in some areas
BOCES business manager explains tax-cap-levy calculation.
-
Westport fire guts home
Teens escape early morning fire. One called a hero for saving his sister.
-
Town hiring notice causes confusion
The Town of Malone's attempt to contract with an administrator for a business-loan program may not have followed state-grant guidelines.
-
Saranac Lake restaurant to reopen Saturday
Asian Buffet Hibachi and Sushi has been closed since a sprinkler system malfunctioned Dec. 19, 2011.
-
Former Plattsburgh man sentenced for killing wife
- Recent Article Comments
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
