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Fire destroys NW home

Firefighters from three departments douse a fire on East Main Street in New Waterford from at least four directions at once. (Salem News photo by Deanne Johnson)
(Salem News photo by Deanne Johnson)
(Salem News photo by Deanne Johnson)
(Salem News photo by Deanne Johnson)
(Salem News photo by Deanne Johnson)
(Salem News photo by Deanne Johnson)

NEW WATERFORD – An East Main Street home was lost following a fire Friday afternoon, despite the efforts of firefighters from three departments.

New Waterford Fire Chief Greg Van Pelt said no one was home at 3850 E. Main St. and the fire had been burning for a while inside before firefighters arrived on the scene. One of New Waterford’s firefighters lives near the two-story home, which is owned by Larry Gibson, and heard a popping noise when he walked outside. He turned and found the fire had come through the outside of the home at that point.

Firefighters arrived from New Waterford, East Palestine and Columbiana to battle the fire in the July heat. Van Pelt said neighbors and others in town were great providing firefighters with water and Gatorade to keep them hydrated while battling the blaze.

At one point firefighters were attacking it from the top of two fire trucks, three locations from on the ground around the home and from above utilizing East Palestine’s ladder truck. Because many businesses were closed due to the upcoming holiday weekend, Van Pelt said manpower was not a problem, which gave firefighters a chance to give each other breaks from time to time.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. It is not known if Gibson had insurance.

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