FOWLER — A fire ignited by cooking oil Sunday afternoon destroyed a two-story house at 570 Country Club Road, St. Lawrence County fire officials said.

The 100-year-old, wood frame farmhouse was occupied by Jay Bresett, 72, a cattle farmer, and his wife, Kisako, 81.

Mrs. Bresett was reportedly cooking with oil when it caught fire. She was treated for a right forearm burn at E.J. Noble Hospital, Gouverneur.

Mr. Bresett was in the barn at the time and was unhurt.

A Gouverneur firefighter who was not identified was treated at the scene for a facial cut.

The fire did not spread to the barn.

Firefighters from Gouverneur, Richville and Edwards were called to the scene at 12:34 p.m. and remained until after 5:30 p.m., according to county fire investigator Joseph Lacks.

Fire departments from Oxbow, Hermon and Dekalb were on standby.

Officials said the fire was a stubborn one to contain because of the wood; the vertical so-called balloon construction common in old homes; and multiple layers of roofing material. The fire “just went right up the walls,” Mr. Lacks said.

The home was insured.

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