Two displaced in Westville fire

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February 7, 2012

MIRANDA ORSO Press-Republican The Press Republican Tue Feb 07, 2012, 05:36 AM EST

WESTVILLE — Two Westville residents were displaced by a fire at their home on Monday afternoon.

Westville Volunteer Fire Department received a call at 3:18 p.m. from the owner of the residence, Corey Degon, who reported the fire at 29 McManus Road, according to Chief Jamie Gratton.

Gratton said his crew arrived on the scene to see the farmhouse completely engulfed in flames, which quickly spread due to high winds.

Degon and his fianceé purchased the home on a land contract in December, he said.

A 14-year-old, not connected with Degon, was injured when he attempted to enter the house for unknown reasons. He sustained damage to his hand when winds caused a door to blow shut on it, Gratton said. He was transported to Alice Hyde Medical Center for treatment.

He said that Degon did not have insurance on the property.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it appears the cause and origin of the fire was in the home's woodstove, Gratton said.

He said the extensive damage to the home makes the residence a total loss, and the couple is staying with relatives while they figure out what to do next.

Firefighters from six local departments helped Westville at the fire: Malone, Constable, Bangor, Fort Covington, Burke and Moira. Franklin County Emergency Services and Fire Police were also on the scene.