GREENFIELD — The home of well-known local couple Will and Tabitha Orthwein in the town of Greenfield was heavily damaged by a fire early Saturday morning.
The home at 18 Bloomfield Road, just outside of Saratoga Springs near the Saratoga Polo Association playing field, became fully involved in flames. Everyone in the house got out safely. Through mutual aid, the Greenfield Fire Department was assisted at the scene by firefighters from Wilton, Rock City Falls, Malta, Ballston Spa, Corinth, and Saratoga Springs. While the cause remains under investigation, reports from the scene indicated that the fire started in a chicken coop on the back side of the house.
The fire was called in about 5:45 a.m., and fire companies cleared the scene about 11:30 a.m., according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.
The expansive 5,500-square-foot colonial-style home that was damaged sits at the center of the 110-acre Bloomfield Farm, where the Orthweins raise polo ponies. The home alone is valued at about $1.7 million, according to Saratoga County property assessment records.
The Orthweins are well-known in Saratoga Springs’ community and philanthropic circles. Both Orthweins are involved in the sport of polo. Will Orthwein is head varsity polo coach at Skidmore College; Tabitha Orthwein has also coordinated or chaired the Saratoga Reads! community reading program for many years.
Categories: -News-, Saratoga County
