Fire wrecks Shrewsbury home
Toolbox
By Gordon Dritschilo STAFF WRITER - Published: December 22, 2009
SHREWSBURY — Fire destroyed a home on Cold River Road Monday night.
The call came in around 8 p.m. and firefighters were still on the scene at 10 p.m. Firefighters referred questions to Shrewsbury Chief Kevin Brown, who was unavailable to comment at press time.
Homeowner Carrie Carrara said she was at a friend's house when the fire started and at first thought the shop next door to her was on fire. She said she grew up in the house, later buying and remodeling it.
"It's devastating, to watch your home burn a few days before Christmas," she said, nearly in tears.
Carrara said she and her two children had a place to stay, but their Christmas gifts were likely destroyed.
At least 18 firefighters from the Shrewsbury, Clarendon, Mount Holly, East Wallingford and Ludlow departments were at the scene. Firefighters disappeared into the thick plume of smoke that blew horizontally from the house in the frigid wind.
Tanker trucks had to bring in water and a plow truck was called in to sand two driveways turned icy by frozen runoff.
The roof appeared to have collapsed, and the charred remnants of the frame were visible on one end. Several firefighters returning to staging areas on either side of the house had small icicles hanging from their breathing gear.
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com
67