House fire on Route 97, no one home

By LISA CUTRONI

COCHECTON, NY — A call was placed at 10:30 a.m. on March 14, signaling a house fire at 7355 Route 97.

The fire broke out in the basement of the two-story home where Tom Campfield and his two children, Luke and Katherine, reside. Gale Shaffer, a friend of the family and member of the Tusten EMS, said the fire might have started from the woodstove.

“Thank God the kids were in school,” Shaffer said. Campfield was also away from the home.

Lake Huntington Fire Chief Jason Kraack said the house experienced extensive smoke and fire damage to the basement and first floor, with some damage to the second floor.

He couldn’t comment as to the integrity of the home and said the cause of the fire will be investigated.

“It was the right day and right time of year. Most of the guys were available. They responded quickly,” Kraack said.

Responding to the fire were the Narrowsburg, Callicoon, Cochecton, Lava, Lake Huntington, Beach Lake and Welcome Lake fire departments. Jeffersonville and Tusten EMS were also at the scene, with White Lake and Yulan on standby.