Responders were called out to a blaze at 93 West Ave. in Owego on Monday. There were no human injuries reported in the blaze, but the family’s pets died – despite efforts by firefighters. (Provided Photo)
On Monday, first responders were called to a two-story house fire at 93 West Ave. in the Village of Owego. According to those at the scene, the home belongs to Ken and Sue Jones, who were not home at the time. The granddaughter, Samantha King, was upstairs at the time she discovered the fire downstairs. She escaped uninjured, but not until she attempted to rescue two dogs and three cats.
Despite mouth to mouth resuscitation rendered by the Owego firefighters to one of the dogs, it died from smoke inhalation. According to those at the scene, the firemen removed the covered dog with tears in their eyes. The other pets did not survive either, except for one of the dogs, according to news sources.
Fire and smoke engulfed the home halfway back, from the driveway on the eastern part of the house in the downstairs as well as the upstairs and roof. The damage to the home is being described as significant.
The fire was a two-alarm fire, with concerns of wind blowing from the south to east. The firefighters were concerned that the fire might spread because of wind to nearby homes and a detached garage.
The firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to a nearby garage on the 93 West Ave. property and a house on Gere Street, as well as the neighbors next door.
Responding volunteer firefighters arrived from Owego, Newark Valley, Tioga Center, Apalachin and Campville. Also responding were the Owego Emergency Squad, traffic control by the Owego Fire Police, the Owego Police, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Department, and the New York State Police.
The Tioga County Fire Investigation Team was on the scene at 6 p.m. investigating the cause of fire. According to fire officials, the fire was deemed electrical in nature.
