Staff Writer
PORTAGE LAKE — A faulty electrical hot water heater is believed to be the cause of a fire Sunday morning that destroyed a two-story camp at the end of West Cottage Road. “It’s a seasonal camp. The owner, Holly Umphrey, had just returned the day before to open it up. She reported she’d had problems on Saturday with her hot water heater at that time,” said David Bolstridge, chief of the Portage Lake Fire Department.
Bolstridge said the owner had left the structure and wasn’t home when the fire started.
“When she came back, she discovered the fire at the camp,” he said.
Crews were called to the scene at approximately 8:15 a.m.
“Mutual aid was provided by Masardis and Ashland fire departments, while Mapleton covered Ashland’s base,” said Bolstridge.
The structure was deemed a total loss. Bostridge said he believed the owner was insured.
“When we arrived, the driveway hadn’t been cleared. The snow was still pretty deep and made it harder to reach the building. It was up to our waists as we drug hoses from the trucks to the camp to get to the fire.
No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze.
