Fire damages Cavendish home that was harmed during Irene
Shawn Cunningham | Mar 03, 2018 | Comments 1
UPDATE: A GoFundMe page has been set up for homeowners Martha and Mitchell Benoit. Click here to donate.
By Shawn Cunningham
© 2018 Telegraph Publishing LLC
Around 1 p.m., Proctorsville and Cavendish firefighters were called to the Benoit residence at 834 Rt. 131 for a fully involved fire in a garage that was attached to the home.
Homeowner Mitchell Benoit said he was watching television when he smelled smoke and went to investigate. He found the garage on fire and pulled his tractor and generator out of the structure before they could be damaged. In the process, he injured one hand on a nail and burned the other.
The fire spread from the garage to the back of the house where flames could be seen several feet above the structure. Firefighters soaked the garage and worked to douse the fire from both inside the house and outside.
Town Manager Brendan McNamara was on hand monitoring the use of municipal water to be sure that there would be enough to fight the fire and provide service to the town. McNamara said he was getting the well pumps going to keep the towns two storage tanks from emptying.
Asked if the home was insured, Benoit said it was but added “you never really know until the check is in your hand.”
According to McNamara, the Benoit property was one of those damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.
“We were flooded out and now we’re being burned out,” Benoit said.
In addition to the two nearby departments, Ludlow Ambulance, Reading, Ludlow, West Weathersfield, Ascutney, Chester, Springfield and Plymouth fire departments also responded.
There was no word on any other injuries at 2 p.m.
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