Two Broome County Homes are Destroyed by Fire

Officials are investigating the cause of a fire at around 3:30 p.m. March 4 in Vestal that destroyed a Salem Drive home. 

The blaze began on the second floor in a wall and quickly spread to the attic with flames shooting through the roof.  Firefighters had to pull out of the building and attack the blaze from outside when the second floor ceiling started to come down. 

Firefighters were on the scene for around four hours.

There were no injuries.

The cause of a northern Broome fire that was reported in the earlier in the day is also under investigation. 

The fire at a home on Eldridge Road in Whitney Point was reported shortly after 3:30 a.m., drawing crews from eight fire departments. 

The resident of the home and his dog escaped safely and there were no reported injuries to firefighters in spite of bitterly cold temperatures.

Crews from Whitney Point, Lisle, Killawog, Chenango, Chenango Forks, Glen Aubrey, Union Center and Maine responded to the call and found flames shooting through the roof and heavy some when they arrived.

Fire officials estimated that it took a little over a half hour to put the blaze out but the home most likely will be considered a total loss.

While the cause of the fire has not been determined, officials say it appears it may have started between the ceiling and the roof.