Quick Response Stops Structure Fire From Spreading – No Injuries Reported

Around 7:30pm on Monday, July 15th, Cortland County 9-1-1 Dispatch received a report of a structure fire at 5691 Route 281 in the Town of Homer due to a lightning strike. Fire Departments from Homer, Preble, and Cortlandville were dispatched to the scene.

Responding firefighters reported heavy smoke coming from the location and a 2nd alarm was issued. Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters found a storage building heavily involved in the roof and second floor. Homer Fire Deputy Chief Doug Van Etten tells X101 News both Preble and Homer Fire made a quick response to the scene as firefighters were manned at their stations in anticipation of storm damage.

Homer Fire Engine 501 utilized a deck water gun to begin attacking the fire from a driveway while Preble set up in an adjacent driveway and began to use water to cool a residential building that was just 10 feet away from the burning structure. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to just the storage building and further contained it to the second floor and roof area. The residential building (about 10 feet away) only suffered minor damage to the siding.

A bulk of the fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes from time of call, Van Etten said. Firefighters remained on scene checking for any potential hotspots. While overhauling the building, some equipment that was located on the first floor of the building was able to be saved and removed from the structure.

Assisting the Homer Fire Department were Preble, Cortlandville, and McGraw Fire Departments, TLC Ambulance, and the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office.

Van Etten said an investigation did show the fire began naturally and most likely from a lightning strike. A further investigation continues.