Danby, N.Y. — Emergency responders found two vehicles and the front of a garage in Tompkins County ablaze Tuesday afternoon.
The first firefighter on scene did what he could to knock down the “heavy fire,” according to Danby Fire Chief John Gaden.
Back-up arrived shortly afterwards. About 20 firefighters then quickly helped him extinguish the blaze, which destroyed one vehicle, badly damaged another, burned the front of the garage and did damage to the side of the home at 256 Jersey Hill Road in Danby.
Firefighters from Ithaca, West Danby, Danby and elsewhere were called to the scene, along with police and Bangs Ambulance. Dozens of emergency response vehicles were called to the scene.
The fire was reported around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
No injuries have been reported, Chief Gaden said. A man who was home and his dog appeared to be unhurt.
The call initially came in as a vehicle fire, Chief Gaden said. It was later upgraded to a structure fire, prompting a bigger emergency response.
Chief Gaden credited the first firefighter on scene for “doing a good job” to help make the job of the other responders easier. Gaden said firefighters’ quick work saved the house from sustaining more damage and going up in flames.
One neighbor watched from across the street as firefighters worked the scene.
“All of a sudden we heard, ‘Poof!,’” said the neighbor, Pat Adey, describing what sounded like an explosion.
