Putnam County Fire was dispatched to a residence off Buffalo Valley Road around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, for a reported structure fire. The caller reported smoke coming from the area around the chimney inside the home, with no visible flames.

Upon arrival, crews found a multi-story residence with audible smoke detectors sounding and light smoke throughout the interior. Further investigation revealed an active fire concealed behind the wall in the chimney area. Firefighters quickly exposed the affected area and brought the fire under control within minutes of arrival using a water can.

The homeowner awoke to the smell of smoke and recognized that something was wrong before the smoke detectors activated. This early awareness allowed all occupants to safely exit the residence and contact 911.

Crews remained on scene for just over two hours conducting overhaul operations to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. The home sustained moderate damage in the area surrounding the chimney. No injuries were reported.