One injured fighting Ticonderoga fire

<a href="mailto:lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com">By LOHR McKINSTRY</a>
Staff Writer

March 16, 2008 07:19 pm

— TICONDEROGA — One firefighter was slightly injured early this morning putting out a fire that heavily damaged a single-family home here.
The 48 Cossey St. residence in Ticonderoga was owned and occupied by Darren and Jacqueline Fleury, who got out safely.
The cause of the 4:30 a.m. blaze is under investigation by the Essex County Fire Investigation Unit.
Ticonderoga Emergency Squad took one firefighter, who was not identified, to Moses-Ludington Hospital for treatment of a back injury sustained while battling the fire.
Ticonderoga First Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Watts was one of the first to arrive at the two-story wood-frame home.
“There was a lot of fire in the first floor. Mr. Fleury was outside and indicated that no one was inside,” he said. “The fire spread quickly throughout the rest of the first floor and extended upstairs to the second floor and attic. Also hampering our effort was the fact that the power line to the house broke off and was in front of the house.”
But Anthony Morette, a professional electrician who lives next door, came to their aid and moved the power line out of the way, Watts said.
“That was a really big help to us.”
Ticonderoga got mutual aid from Crown Point, Port Henry and Putnam fire companies, with Schroon Lake on standby at Ticonderoga’s fire station. The Essex County Air One truck from Westport came to refill oxygen bottles. The Ticonderoga Fire Department Auxiliary provided food and water for firefighters over the four hours it took the fight the flames.
The American Red Cross local chapter is providing assistance for the Fleurys, Watts said.
“At this time I'm not sure where the residents will be staying, but the Red Cross has been contacted for them.”
He said the fire did “significant damage” to the home.
“Everyone did a fantastic job working very well together getting the fire under control. There was another residence very close by that did not sustain any damage.”

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at:
lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com