Tuesday morning fire destroys Princetown home; No injuries, but pets missing, officials say

PRINCETOWN – A Tuesday morning fire destroyed a home on Duanesburg Road.

No injuries were reported, but the homeowner’s pets remained missing later, officials said.

Firefighters were called to the residence at 4979 Duanesburg Road just before 10:30 a.m.

The Duanesburg Fire Department received the call of a house on fire, Fire Chief Jeffrey Hoffman said. By the time the department arrived the house was fully engulfed. 

A passerby had seen the home was on fire, alerted the department and the homeowner, Hoffman said.

Richard Simmons is listed as the owner of the property, according to town assessment rolls. 

Multiple agencies were called in to help with the fire, as many of the departments are volunteer only. 

On scene were Duanesburg, Pine Grove, South Schenectady, Rotterdam District No. 2, Carmen, Mariaville, Plotterkill and Schonowe fire departments. 

Crews were expected to remain on scene late into the afternoon as they use an excavator to tear down the structure safely and put out the rest of the fire. 

The road near the scene was closed as crews worked. 

No firefighters were injured, Hoffman said. 

The county fire investigator was on scene and the cause remained under investigation, Hoffman said.

Reporter Shenandoah Briere can be reached at 518-478-3320 or [email protected].

Categories: -News-, Schenectady County