AFTON – Monday evening what started as a chimney fire swept through a remote Afton home, causing significant damage and making the structure a total loss.

“It was a battle of the elements,” said Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matthew L. Beckwith.

Beckwith said the 50 firefighters from Afton, Coventry, Greene, Bainbridge, Harpursville, Sidney, Masonville and Hancock had to struggle to reach the residence of Ronnie Ford along Howe Lane in the Town of Afton. The house was located approximately 1,900 feet from the road.

Beckwith said crews had used heavy five inch diameter hose to reach the blaze down the narrow, private road. Crews also had to march to the site from the road in below freezing weather that caused complications, including a hose line break and one of the fire trucks freezing.

“It was very very cold, creating challenges with the equipment and the scene was difficult to reach. The Afton fire chief, Blaine Reiling, was even shuttling firefighters back and forth from the road in the department’s Suburban,” said Beckwith.

Beckwith said Ford and a friend were watching television when the TV suddenly went out.