Attic fire in city displaces family, injures firefighter

Nov. 13—Attic fire in city displaces family, injures firefighter

WATERTOWN — A family of at least four people is displaced after a fire on North California Avenue in the city Monday morning, according to Battalion Chief Andrew Denney of the city fire department.

Denney said when firefighters arrived at 326 N. California Ave., they found the fire in the attic.

Firefighters had difficulty accessing the attic and had to cut their own holes to get into the space, Denney said.

According to city property records, the duplex is owned by Eric Richards, with a Castle Rock, Colorado, address.

The fire was contained to the attic.

A firefighter sustained a minor injury, Denney said.

He described the damage to the structure as being "repairable."

The second floor of the home was the only floor on which people were living, Denney said.

The city department had mutual aid from Fort Drum Fire Department, Guilfoyle Ambulance, city police, city code enforcement and the city water department.

Denney said fire investigators found the cause of the fire to be accidental.