SINCLAIRVILLE - A family was left out in the cold Saturday night after a fire gutted their Sinclairville home.
At 5:39 p.m., Sinclairville volunteer fire department was called to 5791 Damon Hill Road for a structure fire.
Smoke was billowing from the home at the scene and flames could be seen through a back window of the structure, which was deemed to be a total loss.
Article Photos
Several area fire departments responded to a house fire at 5791 Damon Hill Road in Sinclairville on Saturday evening.
P-J photos by Matt Spielman
According to Doug Goodwill, Sinclairville Volunteer Fire Department first assistant chief, a woman was home alone sleeping when a smoke detector woke her up and she found her wall to be on fire. It is believed the woman's husband and their 8-year-old child were out of town Saturday night.
"I was the first one on the scene and she came running out to me," said Goodwill. "She is perfectly fine, just a little shaken up."
Chautauqua County fire investigators were on the scene Saturday night, but were unable to determine the cause of the fire due to the damage and work necessary to extinguish the fire.
"We believe it started in the living room," said Goodwill. "The biggest problem was the tin roof. The fire got in between the tin roof and the roof itself. Not knowing how many layers on shingles were on there, we were ripping off the tin to get in between it and put the fire out."
Volunteer fire companies from Gerry, Ellington, Stockton, Ellery Center, Falconer, Kennedy and Kiantone lined Damon Hill Road just before it converges with Nobles Road near the Hatch Creek State Forest. Companies at the scene were also assisted by the Frewsburg Volunteer Fire Department, which was on standby. The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department also responded to the call.
Some of the coldest temperatures thus far this winter and a light snow did not deter crews.
No injuries were injuries were reported.
The American Red Cross is assisting the family.