SOUTH NEW BERLIN – A stapled electrical wire in the basement of a 113 Beadle Lane home is being blamed for a fire that completely destroyed the home of Paul and Mary Anne Squires early Saturday afternoon.

Fire crews from South New Berlin, New Berlin, North Norwich, Norwich, Mt. Upton and Gilbertsville responded to the fire, which began in the basement and quickly extended up into the first floor and roof of the dwelling, reported Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo.

The Squires, along with their infant granddaughter and two dogs, were able to evacuate the house and no one was injured, he added. According to South New Berlin Fire Chief Kevin Christian, first on the scene, a third dog, unable to exit the home on its own, was rescued. Only the adjoining garage escaped the flames, as well as the couple’s car, truck, motorcycle and tractor.

According to the family, Paul Squires was taking an afternoon nap when his wife’s yells alerted him to a smoke-filled kitchen. Yelling for a fire extinguisher, Paul then grabbed a water hose and proceeded into the basement where he began fighting the fire. His wife, unable to phone for help from the house, spent the next fifteen minutes going door to door, looking for a telephone. At the time, she said, she had no idea if her husband was still in the house or not.