caption:

Photo by Putnam Fire Dept. Asst. Fire Chief Kerry Farrell.



Church St. garage
fire cause is
‘undetermined’
PUTNAM — A fire that extensively damaged a Church St. garage and home has been ruled as undetermined by Putnam Fire Marshal’s office.
Nov. 29 Putnam Emergency Dispatch received numerous 911 calls regarding an unknown large fire on the north end Church Street.  
The first arriving fire officer quickly determined the fire to be a well involved detached three-bay garage to the rear of 386 Church St.  The fire had extended to the exterior residence which is situated only 6 feet from the garage.
Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the home, preventing smoke and flames from damaging the interior.  However, the three-bay single-story carriage-style structure and its contents were a total loss.
Members from the Putnam Fire Marshal’s Office were on scene until 3:30 a.m. conducting an origin and cause investigation finding the area of origin to be the rear interior of the garage.  Unfortunately,  due to the advanced nature of the fire and the destruction of evidence, the exact point of origin could not be determined.  Even though it was confirmed that there was power in the building at the time of the fire, and it is probable that the cause of the fire is electrical in nature, other causes could not be eliminated.  For these reasons the fire has been classified as undetermined.
There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.  The occupants of the home were displaced for a short period and were assisted by relatives. If anyone has information concerning this fire or any other fire incident in Putnam, they are asked to call the Putnam Fire Marshal’s Office at (860) 963-6800 ext112.

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