A suspected electrical fire at 145 Morgan Acres Road in the Town of North Norwich was reported to 911 by a neighbor at approximately 1:50 p.m. on Saturday. Responding units included the Norwich, Plymouth, North Norwich, and Sherburne Fire Departments, the Chenango County Bureau of Fire, NYSEG, and the American Red Cross. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — At approximately 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, July 9, the Norwich Fire Department (NFD) responded to a 911 call reporting a residential fire at 145 Morgan Acres Road in the Town of North Norwich.

The incident command unit arrived on the scene at approximately 1:53 p.m., followed by the first arriving engine crew at 1:55 p.m.

Upon arrival flames and heavy smoke were seen coming out of the eaves and peak of the home, and responding units began suppression efforts.

NFD Chief Jan Papelino said the fire is believed to have started at around ground level, and then climbed up through the second floor of the house and into the attic.

"A lot of fire damage to the downstairs area where the fire started, and then up into the second floor in the attic," said Papelino. "The whole roof is burned off on part of the south end of the house there, and the whole back side. The whole attic is open where the fire burned the whole roof off, and there's a lot of fire, smoke, and soot damage."

"The smoke was traveling through the whole top of the house," he added. "It was pushing out the eaves and the whole soffit around the house."

The structure was home to two adults, two children, and two dogs, according to the American Red Cross and the NFD. A neighbor, who saw the fire and alerted 911, was able to rescue one of the dogs from the home.

"The neighbor actually got one of the two dogs out," said Papelino. "The fire was pretty well contained to the back side of the structure, and of course it got up into the attic part. But he was able to go in through the garage and get the one dog that was downstairs out."

The fire was declared under control at 2:16 p.m., with significant damage reported and extensive overhaul to be required, and cleared by all units at 5:56 p.m.

An investigation is still ongoing, but the fire was believed to be electrical in nature, according to Papelino. The home is considered a total loss.

The Norwich Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Plymouth, North Norwich, and Sherburne Fire Departments, the Chenango County Bureau of Fire, NYSEG, and volunteers with the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"The Red Cross provided blankets, toiletry kits, stuffed movie mice and financial assistance. The financial assistance is used for immediate necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing," reported the American Red Cross. "Volunteers also offered emotional support and health services. The assisted family will meet with caseworkers in the coming days to develop a long-term recovery plan."