Fire Damages Home Overlooking Southeast's Tonetta Lake

SOUTHEAST, N.Y. -- When Julian Papp and his wife went into the boiler room of their lakeside Southeast home to retrieve some items, they were met with a sudden conflagration.

A fire damaged a house that overlooks Tonetta Lake in Southeast.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Brewster firefighters prepare to leave after responding to a residential fire at a home overlooking Tonetta Lake.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Tom Auchterlonie

03/24/2015 2:30 p.m.

Papp, who has resided at the house off of Cooledge Drive for about 18 years, said that the room went "boom" and there were flames.

The two sustained singes, Papp said, and he dialed 911, which resulted in firefighters responding to the blaze.

Brewster Fire Chief Thomas Leather estimated that the fire was put out in less than three or four minutes. The fire's damage was limited, however, as Leather said it was contained to the boiler room and a nearby room. As a result, there was no exterior damage to the house.

Firefighters responded to the fire at the house, which overlooks Tonetta Lake, on late Tuesday morning, according to Leather.

Mutual aid, according to the fire chief came from fire departments in Lake Carmel, Carmel, Putnam Lake and Patterson. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Leather said.

The house is uninhabitable, Papp told Daily Voice. He said that the power was cut off, the boiler is "shot," and that there is no heat inside.

Click here to follow Daily Voice North Salem and receive free news updates.