MONKTON — A home on State’s Prison Hollow Road in Monkton burned to the ground on Tuesday, June 24. The owners, Daniel and Anne Coolidge, were home when the fire started around 8:15 p.m. and promptly called 911, but firefighters were unable to save the structure.
“It was involved up and into the ceiling and roof area,” Monkton Fire Chief David Layn said. “It was not safe to get someone up there to ventilate.”
Unable to save the home, a double-wide trailer, Layn said he directed his firefighters to focus on containing the blaze. Layn said county investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire. Anne Coolidge said it started behind the couple’s television set.
“We were home and just watching TV and all the sudden there was a crack and a pop,” Anne Coolidge said. “I saw smoke and I could see this little bit of fire.
Anne Coolidge said Daniel tried to fight the fire before help arrived, but couldn’t extinguish it.
“My husband tried to put it out, but it just got smokier,” Anne Coolidge said. “We just got out with our little dog; that’s the main point.”
Anne Coolidge praised the fire department for responding quickly, but said that there was little they could no matter when they arrived, since the house was engulfed in minutes.
“I applaud the fire department for what they could do,” Anne Coolidge said. “It was quite windy that night.”
Anne and David Coolidge have been married for 37 years, and lived in that home since 1978. The Red Cross has found the couple temporary housing at a hotel in Colchester. Anne Coolidge said she hopes to return to Monkton soon, and plans to rebuild the home.