FARMINGTON – A fast-moving fire destroyed a couple’s home on Porter Hill Road last night.
Fire crews from seven area towns worked through blizzard conditions to fight the blaze that was started from trying to thaw the home’s water pipes. A dog perished in the fire.
According to Farmington Fire Chief Terry Bell, the call came a little before 5 p.m. Sunday evening that fire could be seen coming from the mobile home belonging to Harold Cote. Cote and his wife, Ginny, were able to escape but one dog didn’t make it out in time.
“The weather did hinder us,” Bell said, and added, they had to haul water from a hydrant about a half mile from the fire scene on Town Farm Road. Weather conditions at the time were heavy snowfall, gusty winds and a wind chill factor reported below zero.
Despite the weather, 22 of the 29 firefighters on Farmington Fire Rescue Department’s roster responded to the blaze. Mutual aid towns responded with about a half dozen each from Strong, New Vineyard, New Sharon, Wilton and Temple. The Industry department stood by at the Farmington station in case another call were to come in. A NorthStar ambulance crew assisted at the scene, as did the Farmington Police Department.
The home was gutted by fire and a total loss, Bell said. The couple was offered a place to stay by the American Red Cross. Crews cleared the scene at 8:10 p.m.
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