EDMESTON _ Fire damaged a home on state Route 51 in Edmeston, leaving a family of five homeless, a fire official said Thursday.
Edmeston Fire Chief Michael Hume said the attic and second story of the farm house were badly burned, and smoke and water damaged the residence. He said he didn't have names of the two adults and three small children who lived in the home and are staying with relatives. No injuries were reported.
The mother and children were home when the blaze started but escaped without injury, along with a dog and cat, Hume said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but may have involved the chimney, he said.
About 60 firefighters responded to the scene, and water from a pond nearby was used to put out the blaze, he said. Garrattsville, West Exeter, West Edmeston and Pittsfield departments provided mutual aid crews.
The Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance to the family.
