TRR photo by Charlie Buterbaugh Though ground only 50 feet away from the Strebel home was charred, firefighters prevented any serious damage to closer property. (Click for larger image)

Downed wire starts brush fire at Weiden Lake, again

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

NEWEIDEN, NY — A neighbor driving by and fast response from the Lava Fire Department could be credited for saving an antique home and its garage.

According to fire police Doug Heinle, neighbor Joe Hensz first spotted the fire.

Lava Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Clarence Reeves was the first to arrive at the brush fire at approximately 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday at the Charles Strebel residence on Swamp Pond Road.

“A couple more minutes and we would have lost the garage building,” Reeves said.

Only one wall of the garage was damaged. Firemen drew water with a gas-powered pump from Weiden Lake and extinguished the stubborn flames spreading through leaf litter and fallen trees.

“An electric wire started the fire when it fell in the woods, and the wind fueled it towards the house,” George Strumpfler, Lava fire chief said.

The fire was a sequel to one last year at the same location, caused by a wire spark from a broken electric line.

Narrowsburg Volunteer Fire Department, Welcome Lake Fire Department and Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Service also responded to the scene.