WOODSTOCK—On June 4, at 2:45 p.m. Woodstock Fire & Rescue was dispatched for a report of black smoke in the Dunham Hill area that was called in from Church Hill. Another call was made at 3 p.m. by a neighbor for a fully involved structure fire located at 1274 Dunham Hill road, owned by Richard Terwelp.
Woodstock Fire Rescue Chief David Green requested a first alarm that brought in the South Woodstock Fire Dept., and Bridgewater Fire Dept. When units arrived on scene the structure had mostly collapsed and was completely consumed by fire.
There were no injuries reported.
As part of his scene assessment, Woodstock Fire Chief David Green contacted the state Dept. of Public Safety Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit for assistance in determining the origin and cause of this fire. It was determined that the homeowner left staining rags in a black plastic garbage bag on an exterior patio near the house.
This fire is listed as accidental and is not considered suspicious. The division of fire safety would like to remind people that when disposing of staining rags do not discard in a trash receptacle or wad them into a tight mass. Rags do need to be dried thoroughly before disposal. Spread the rags outdoors, on the ground or on a metal rack, until completely dry and somewhat hard.
