Cornwall Bridge family plans to rebuild after fire destroyed home on July 31

CORNWALL — A local family has begun picking up the pieces after a fire destroyed half their Cornwall Bridge home early on the morning of July 31.

Ralph and Cleide Dzenutis and their two teenage children are living in a trailer in the yard behind their devastated Route 7 home. They have already begun cleaning up in preparation to rebuild, and community members are looking for ways to help in the wake of the tragedy.

Firefighters from all across the region responded to fight the blaze, but it was Dzenutis, a lieutenant with the Cornwall Fire Department, who got the first fire truck to the scene.

After waking at about 3 a.m. to the smell of smoke, he got his family out of the house, then raced down the road to the Cornwall Bridge firehouse.

He brought back a fire truck and was fighting the blaze when his colleagues began to arrive.

A quick response, with plenty of mutual aid, saved about half the house. An unidentified firefighter suffered a back injury on scene. There were no other injuries.

Fire Marshall Stanley MacMillan told The Journal the fire got a good head start, originating in an unfinished room over the attached garage.

“That room was open to the ceiling. There was a lot of warm air to fuel the fire and it quickly spread to the second floor of the main part of the house.�

MacMillan has ruled the fire non-suspicious and of an undetermined origin.

“It was accidental, that’s as much as I can say. I know it started over the garage, but I won’t be able to determine how it started. There was too much damage.�

The determination means the family can move forward on an insurance claim.

They spent about 15 years building the home, doing most of the work themselves. Most recently, a rock face was installed around the foundation, contrasting with the dark stain on the wooden shingles above. It was a unusual and attractive home.

The good news is that about half of the house can be saved. On Monday, what remained of the garage and roof were removed so that the house could be covered against rain, and the cleanup and rebuilding begin.

MacMillan said there was some damage to the kitchen, but the first floor of the main section and possibly some of the second floor can be salvaged.

“If anyone can rebuild that house, it’s the Dzenutis family,� First Selectman Gordon Ridgway said. “Between Ralph and his brothers, I’m sure the family will be back in it soon.�

The fire had residents talking over the weekend about a recent spate of tragedies and deaths, both local and beyond. The Dzenutis family has certainly had its share of misfortune lately.

 Dzenutis was arrested in May after a post-prom party on his property got out of control.

“He’s holding up,� Ridgway said. “Ralph is being Ralph. He’s always optimistic and they’ll get through this.�

Ridgway’s office has been fielding a large number of calls from people looking for some way to help. The family was able to salvage much of their belongings, including clothing.

Ridgway suggested a bank account be established for monetary donations.

“Ralph’s response was that he was grateful, but that there are surely others who could use the money more,� Ridgway said. “I convinced him that people want and need to do something, and that he could give the money to a good cause if they end up not needing it. He reluctantly agreed.�

Donations may be brought or sent to the National Iron Bank.

The White Hart Inn in Salisbury, where Cleide Dzenutis has worked for six years, is also seeking monetary donations on behalf of the family.