BUCKLAND — A fire reported on East Buckland Road Tuesday morning left extensive damage to a garage and the adjoining home, but nobody was injured.
First responders from the Buckland Fire Department and a number of surrounding towns responded to a two-alarm structure fire at 146 East Buckland Road, which was called in by homeowner Harry Barrows, shortly after 10 a.m.
Barrows said he reported the fire after noticing smoke coming from his garage.
“I grabbed my phone, called 9-1-1 and went out the front door,” he said.
His wife, Colleen, was at work when the fire started. Nobody else was home, nor were there any pets inside. The couple said the home is insured.
Buckland Fire Chief Herb Guyette said the fire was likely caused by a snowblower in the garage.
Guyette said because there are no fire hydrants in the area, firefighters brought water from Mohawk Trail Regional School, which is about 3 miles from the home.
Emergency response teams from Buckland, Shelburne, Colrain, Charlemont, Plainfield and Heath, among others, responded to the call.
The Barrows, who will be living with their niece and nephew until they can move back into their home, said they are grateful for the team of first responders who came to their aid.
“I’ve had better days,” Harry Barrows said, but he was quick to draw attention to the team of firefighters around him. “I’m thankful to these guys.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263.