Call came too late to save structure
By LEON THOMPSON
Messenger Staff Writer
February 9, 2010 Edition Of The St. Albans Messenger
FAIRFAX — A huge blaze destroyed a home here Monday afternoon before firefighters even arrived at the scene.
Smoke and flames were pouring from the 395 Nichols Rd. home of Dan and Pat Bouthillette by the time fire crews pulled into the driveway at about 12:30 p.m.
Dean Potter, Fairfax fire chief, said this morning that the roof of the wood-structure home had caved in upon arrival of the first fire truck.
"When I got there, the building was already on the ground," Potter said, noting that the house stood 300 feet off the road. "It was probably cooking for a while before anybody saw it to call it in," the chief said.
Firefighters from Westford, St. Albans Town, and Georgia assisted the Fairfax Fire Department at the scene. Their strategy was "surround and drown," knowing the house was already a loss, Potter said.
Crews were at the scene for about four hours. There were no injuries, and the Bouthilettes were not home when the fire started.
The cause is still under investigation. Reportedly, the family's dog escaped from the home, but a cat was still missing as of late last night.
To view photos taken at the fire by Glen Russell, click on the following link:
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=BT&Dato=20100208&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=2080806&Ref=PH (http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=BT&Dato=20100208&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=2080806&Ref=PH)