by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi
MISKIMON—No one was injured Saturday morning when a fire destroyed the home of Jesse and Mary Bowman at LillyWood Ranch on Courthouse Road in Miskimon.
According to Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department Chief Phillip Keyser, the 911 call came in just after 7 a.m. January 9. The Bowmans and others were feeding horses when they noticed smoke coming from the residence. Their daughter was still inside the house, but they were able to get her out safely before responders arrived, said Keyser.
Five different volunteer fire departments, including Fairfields, Kilmarnock, Upper Lancaster, Callao and Cople District, responded.
“We were hindered by lack of water supply in that area,” said Keyser. Units were forced to refill in Heathsville and Browns Store.
“The high winds didn’t help us either and neither did the building construction. It was a log cabin with a metal roof. That created plenty of fuel,” he said.
The fire was confined to the home and didn’t reach the stables or pasture area.
“The animals weren’t in danger,” said Keyser.
Responders remained on scene until 1 p.m. and the fire is still under investigation by the Northumberland County Sheriff’s Department.
LillyWood Ranch Youth Services offers an equine-based youth mentoring program.