Causes Investigated in Fires in Union Center and Kirkwood

Investigators are looking into the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a home in Union Center March 15.

The blaze was reported on Old Newark Valley Road about 2:40 p.m. Close to a half dozen fire companies responded.

There were no injuries. The three residents of the house were not home at the time.

Officials say the flames were driven by high winds.

The fire appears to have started on the first floor and the home sustained smoke and water damage.

Authorities are also looking into the cause of a garage fire that sent one man to the hospital for treatment of second and third degree burns.

The blaze broke out at around 4:30 p.m. March 13 on Route 11 in Kirkwood.

The fire destroyed the garage and heavily damaged a nearby trailer.

A man sustained burns on his hands and legs and was initially taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City but then sent to a burn unit at a hospital in Syracuse.