Update: A 911 dispatcher said at 2:26 p.m. that firefighters are still at the scene. Vehicles are being directed around the area, so expect a slight delay.
CAROLINE, N.Y. — Dozens of firefighters have been battling a house fire in Caroline since before 10 a.m. in temperatures that have been below 20 degrees all morning.
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The fire broke out at a single-family home on 2859 Slaterville Road, said Beth Harrington, President of the Slaterville Fire Department.
She said the fire was most evident on the front porch when crews arrived, though it was quickly evident that the blaze was quickly moving upward toward the attic.
“It was too unsafe to put anybody inside,” Harrington said, so crews began putting out the fire from surrounding area.
Two people and several dogs were evacuated from the home, and a cat was later rescued from inside. No injuries have been reported.
Harrington said the home has a balloon structure, which may have contributed to the speed at which the fire seems to have spread.
“That just acts like a wick and the fire spread all through it,” Harrington said.
Varna, Neptune, Speedsville, Etna, Brooktondale, Slaterville, Freeville and Dryden are all currently at the scene, totaling about 30- 35 firefighters who are rotating in to fight the blaze.
The Department of Emergency Response and Bangs Ambulance are also at the scene.
Harrington said it’s unclear how the fire started. It’s also unknown at this time if the house had working smoke detectors, but she said she believes she heard one when she arrived at the scene.
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