Source: Union-News (Springfield, MA)
Author: DAVID GREENBERG
STAFF; UNION-NEWS (Springfield, Mass.)
ASHFIELD, MA – An afternoon fire heavily damaged the top floor of an 18th century house yesterday, but quick response from fire departments in five towns helped save most of the structure.
No injuries were reported and while damages were thought to total several thousand dollars, no official figures were available at a late hour yesterday. The cause was unknown as of yesterday evening.
Ashfield Police Chief Gary Sibilia said the house, near Dug Hill on Route 116 about three miles west of the Conway line, was “fully engulfed in flames” when he arrived following a 2:50 p.m. call.
“Flames were shooting out of the front bedroom window on the second floor,” he said.
The two-story, wood-framed yellow house, built in 1794, is owned by Arthur Williams, who lives next door, and his brother, Deane, of Northampton. It has been in the Williams family for four generations.
The house was being occupied by Arthur’s son, Michael, his wife, Roseanne, and their three small boys, Chad, Jonathan and Timothy. Williams said the family will stay with him tonight.
Fire companies from Ashfield, Conway, Buckland, Shelburne and Goshen and the Deerfield Rescue vehicle responded to the call. Plainfield Fire Department covered the Ashfield fire station until Ashfield firefighters returned.
“I think the fire departments and volunteers did a tremendous job,” said Williams, who also expressed gratitude toward his neighbors for helping out.
The family was able to move most of their downstairs belongings to the back of the house. Most of the damage to furniture and belongings in the four upstairs bedrooms was due to smoke and water, according to Ashfield firefighter Dennis Crowningshield.
He said firefighters had to cut a hole through a bedroom ceiling to reach the attic, where a portion of the fire erupted.
The fire was under control soon after fire companies arrived and was declared extinguished by 4:30 p.m. by Ashfield Fire Chief Douglas Field.
Volunteer workers spent about an hour tearing the metal roofing off the house. Firefighters then hosed down the smoldering wooden shingles underneath that Williams said were part of the original structure of the house.