Firefighters were called to the 4000 block of Montrose Turnpike around 4:30 Saturday afternoon for what started as a vehicle fire, but quickly spread to the nearby house. Southside Fire Chief Charles Klett, who lives nearby, was on the scene within seconds. He says the fire started as a vehicle fire, but that the homeowner had just returned home from having two 100 pound propane tanks filled. They were in the back of his pickup truck when it caught fire. It took only moments before the tanks BLEVE’d, spreading fire to the 100-plus year-old farm home. Additional firefighters were called from Owego, Apalachin, and Campville. A FAST team was called from West Corners. A tanker shuttle was established from the Klett farm near Valley Road. The homeowner told News Radio WEBO he had just returned home from getting the propane tanks filled, went inside to make a cup of coffee, that’s when his dog started barking, and the man, who is in his eighties, realized his truck was on fire. He called 911. Both he and his dog got out safely. No one was injured extinguishing the fire, despite the frigid temperatures. Extra ambulances were brought to the scene for use as warming stations. The homeowner is staying with friends. The home is a total loss.
