Pellet stove ember sparks Russell house fire
Feb. 12—RUSSELL — A pellet stove ember caused a fire that destroyed a two-story home on Saturday night.
Degrasse Fire Department officials said they were dispatched to the house on County Route 17 at 10:48 a.m.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the back side of the house engulfed in flames with smoke coming from the front and sides of the structure.
Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire to be an ember that came out of the pellet stove chimney catching tall grass on fire, which spread to the exterior of the house. It's been deemed a total loss.
No one was injured and there were no people or animals inside when the building caught fire.
Mutual aid came from Russell Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Hermon Fire Department, Edwards Volunteer Fire Department, Pyrites Volunteer Fire Department, Star Lake Fire Department, Fine Volunteer Fire Department and Canton Fire Department.
St. Lawrence County Highway Department employees who were in the area assisted with traffic control.
