Fire destroys house in remote location

CHAMPION — An unoccupied home at 22611 Taylor Road was destroyed Saturday night in a smoky inferno that already had engulfed the structure by the time emergency crews arrived.

Firefighters from six departments were called to the scene.

The remote location, lack of a nearby water source and size of the blaze challenged firefighters, said Tim E. Thomas, Great Bend first assistant fire chief. Mr. Thomas said tanker trucks were used to haul water to the site. Portable pools were then set up to feed water lines dousing the house's remains.

"The wind certainly didn't help us, either," the chief said.

Mr. Thomas said no injuries had been reported and a fire investigator was being called late Saturday to determine the cause of the fire.

The property owner's name was unavailable late Saturday. No cars were in the driveway or parked in the garage when firefighters arrived, he said.

Firefighters at the scene did say that at least a portion of the home was powered by solar panels and a private wind turbine.

Assisting at the scene were firefighters from Evans Mills, Great Bend, Felts Mills, Rutland, Champion and Deferiet and paramedics from Black River.