Fire claims Greenwood home amid subzero temperatures

GREENWOOD — A fire blazed out of control on Monday night, burning down a home located just behind the town office. The homeowners escaped into the biting cold uninjured, but with little else.

Respondents arrived at the scene within seven or eight minutes of the emergency call, but by then, it was too late to save the structure, said Greenwood Fire Chief Al Curtis.

"All four walls were fully involved, and the roof had already started caving in," said Curtis.

The home, located at 19 Bird Hill Road, was owned by Steven Shearer, and was being rented by Noel Hasenfus, her partner, and their son, Joshua Pike. 

Pike was out at a friend's house, and Noel and her partner were awakened by a combination of the fire and the barking of a family dog.

Fire departments from Greenwood, Woodstock, Bethel, and Newry responded, as well as Pace and Tri-town ambulance services.

According to Curtis, the temperature was right at or just below zero degrees, but the freezing temperatures did not inhibit the rescue efforts.

Curtis says that the family was installed at the Mollyockett Hotel by the Red Cross, but that none of their possessions had been saved from the fire.

"They lost everything," said Curtis. "Just the clothes on the backs and that was it."

The call for the fire, which was placed from a neighbor's house, was made at approximately 11:15 p.m., and the fire was extinguished by respondents between 3:00 and 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state fire marshall's office.

The family owned two dogs and four cats. As of Tuesday morning, one dog and one cat had been confirmed to be safe; the whereabouts of the others is unknown.

Photo: Chuck Blaquiere

FLAMES — By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, this home was fully involved with flames showing on all sides.

Photo: Chuck Blaquiere

BURNED OUT — The Hasenfus family lost everything but the clothes on their backs, said officials.