Initial crews focused on, and were successful, in protecting the primary residence from fire damage.

Chief Paul Stagner said that they had to act quickly to separate the fire in the garage from the homestead attached.

“Our first observation on arrival was heavy smoke coming from a three-bay garage, so we pulled a line to protect the house and make sure the primary residence did not get damaged at all,” Stagner recalled. ‘The garage appeared to be loaded with equipment for a woodshop and had many vehicles in it.”

Stagner said the cause is still unknown, but a typical winter hazard is a looming possibility.

“We do not know yet officially but we are looking at a potential woodstove issue that hasn’t been determined yet,” Stagner said.

The garage and its contents were mostly damaged, if not lost, in the fire.

There were no reported injuries or fatalities during this incident.

Stagner sent a big thank you to the firefighting crews and tankers that came from Chester, Weathersfield, Bellows Falls, Rockingham, Walpole, Charlestown, Westminster, and Ascutney, along with EMS coverage being provided by Golden Cross during this incident.

He would also like to acknowledge the great assistance that was provided with water supply by the dry hydrant that is installed in a close by pond owned by Phil Carpenter.

Chief Stagner advised that woodstoves and chimneys should be cleaned and up to date to avoid such scenarios. “It is also important to make sure to burn clean wood.”