By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG
PERU — Tracy Carte was shocked to return home midday Wednesday and find firefighters battling a raging fire at his residence.
The Peru man had left his house at 730 Allen Hill Road about an hour before neighbors spotted the blaze erupting at the two-story residence around 12:45 p.m.
Thick smoke could be seen for miles as crews from the Keeseville, Peru, South Plattsburgh and AuSable Forks fire departments were called to the rural area for what became a several-hour effort.
“We had heavy fire out the back side of the house when we got there,” Peru Fire Department First Assistant Chief Chad Frechette said after returning to the local station around 4 p.m.
As Willsboro and Morrisonville crews provided standby support, volunteers did an interior attack on the growing flames and were eventually able to douse the inferno without complication.
Though crews had a quick response, Frechette said, the house was destroyed.
“The house is still standing, but it’s pretty much a total loss.”
Carte, who was insured, is expected to stay with his mother, who lives next door, as he recovers from the loss.
Frechette said about 35 firefighters turned out for the call.
CVPH EMS personnel were also called to Carte’s home, though no injuries were reported.
The cause of the blaze is still being investigated, but preliminary findings indicate it was electrical in nature.
E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:
avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com
