Firefighters combat Winchester blaze

WINCHESTER CENTER — With dozens of calls already for downed power lines and cellar pump outs, a structure fire in Winchester created quite a stir for the Winchester Center Volunteer Fire Department, which nearly doubled its fire calls for the year in just one weekend.

Around 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, the department was dispatched to a structure fire at 113 Highview Drive. Although firefighters were in the area for downed power lines and trees, their immediate response to the fire was temporarily delayed due to a tree across the road.

Once access was gained to the structure, Peter Marchand, deputy chief, determined that the front and both sides of the house were fully engulfed in fire.

The fire was difficult to combat, explained Marchand, since the house had a metal roof with several layers of shingles and plywood beneath. In addition, since the structure was a log home, the ceiling was constructed of tongue-and-groove cedar, making it very difficult to get to the source of the fire.

"We removed the complete metal roof off the house, which took considerable time," said Marchand.

After investigating the situation, Marchand said it appeared a generator, located under a covered porch at the front of the house, started the fire. It had been running for about two hours before the fire was reported. Significant damage was caused to the front porch and roof area of the front half of the house, and there was smoke and water damage in the rest of the house.

He added that the owners were home at the time of the fire, but were in their driveway clearing trees that had fallen from the ice storm. Had the trees not been cleared, Marchand said they would have never gained access to the house in time.

While Winchester does not have fire hydrants, water supply was not an issue since a swimming pool located near the house and a neighboring pond were accessible.

In addition to Winchester Center, Winsted, Torrington, Norfolk, Colebrook, Pleasant Valley and New Hartford fire departments responded to the fire. Winsted Ambulance also stood by, but no injuries were reported.

"Everybody did a very exemplary job. No one got hurt, which was the most important part, and we saved most of the structure," said Marchand. "Thank you to all the surrounding departments who assisted us to fight a very difficult fire under difficult times."