MOUNT TREMPER NY— A faulty chimney has been tentatively identified as the cause of a fire that gutted a house on Wittenberg Road early this morning.
About 30 volunteers from the Woodstock and Phoenicia fire departments responded to the 3:46 a.m. alarm, but the interior of the house was fully ablaze when they arrived, Woodstock Chief Michael Denson said.
The home was owned by Burke Heffner, of Brooklyn,and occupied by a renter, William Foley, Denson said. He said Foley had started a fire in a wood stove at about 5 p.m., then left for the evening. Some time later, the chimney apparently malfunctioned, igniting the interior of the house, the chief said.
Ulster County fire authorities are continuing their investigation of the fire. There were no injuries, Denson said.
About 30 volunteers from the Woodstock and Phoenicia fire departments responded to the 3:46 a.m. alarm, but the interior of the house was fully ablaze when they arrived, Woodstock Chief Michael Denson said.
The home was owned by Burke Heffner, of Brooklyn,and occupied by a renter, William Foley, Denson said. He said Foley had started a fire in a wood stove at about 5 p.m., then left for the evening. Some time later, the chimney apparently malfunctioned, igniting the interior of the house, the chief said.
Ulster County fire authorities are continuing their investigation of the fire. There were no injuries, Denson said.
