Quechee
Hartford Assistant Fire Chief Alan Beebe said the fire is believed to have started in the chimney, although the official cause will remain undetermined for now.
Owners Michael and Deanna Owens and their teenage daughter made it out uninjured, along with the family dog.
They were home when Michael Owens heard noises and saw flames coming from the area of the chimney around 2 p.m., his wife said at the scene on Monday.
Fortunately, the family was able to promptly alert the fire department. Crews stopped the fire from spreading throughout the whole house, but one side of the home suffered extensive damage.
“It was a good stop,” Beebe said while looking at the charred wall.
All of the windows on the damaged side of the house were shattered and a portion of the brick chimney, which ordinarily wouldn’t be exposed, peeked through the ruined siding.
Beebe said the home is repairable but not currently livable.
The family has insurance and is making arrangements for temporary housing.
The Owenses have lived in the three-bedroom Cape for about six years. The property is assessed at $221,800.
Monday’s fire was all too real for Deanna Owens, who suffered a late-night house fire at her home in Chicago at age 7.
“I’m just thankful this didn’t happen in the middle of the night,” she said.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.