KENT CLIFFS- The shrill sound of a smoke detector awakened a Kent Cliffs family early Sunday averting a major calamity.
`The time was 4:35 a.m. when the Putnam County 911 Dispatch Center received a call from the Ramos family reporting smoke and fire inside their residence at 327 Hortontown Hill Road.
The family safely evacuated with their dogs while Kent Fire Department personnel rushed to the scene in a remote area of western Kent one-quarter mile from the Taconic State Parkway and the Dutchess County border.
Chief Justin Byrne arrived moments later and confirmed a working fire summoning mutual aid from the Carmel, Putnam Valley, Lake Carmel, North Highlands and East Fishkill Departments.
Fire crews were hampered by temps in the teens and lack of water supply because the area is not serviced by a hydrant system. Water had to be trucked to the scene by tankers from the various departments.
Chief Byrne said the three-story home suffered substantial damage; however, “responders made a nice stop and averted major destruction.”
The blaze originated in the chimney.
Commissioner of Emergency Services Ken Clair called the fire a “perfect example why everyone should have a working smoke detector in their home. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors save lives.”
Assisting at the scene were members of the Kent Police, Kent Highway Department, Putnam Fire Investigation Team and Putnam Battalion 16 Coordinator George Wahlers.
No injuries were reported.
