By Freeman staff

TOWN OF ULSTER, N.Y. — An electrical malfunction caused a fire that destroyed a mobile home in the Spring Lake Trailer Park, according to the Spring Lake Fire Department chief.

The department was called to Lot 103 at 435 Lucas Ave. Extension at 8:05 p.m. Thursday. Chief John Cranston said firefighters arrived within two minutes of the call and found “a fully involved mobile home fire.” He said the residents of the home were safely outside when firefighters arrived and that no one was injured.

Cranston said the fire did some damage to the siding of a neighboring home, but that that residence still was structurally sound and inhabitable. He said the occupants of that home were evacuated during the fire.

Ray Restaino, who lived in the burned home with his wife. Kathy, said he was outside mowing the lawn about 7:30 p.m. when he smelled something burning. He said he checked the mower and then went inside. In the back room of the home, he found flames by the water heater.

Restaino said he turned off the electricity, went outside and shut off the gas to the home, then went to a neighbor’s home to call 911.

But the fire spread quickly, and the home was engulfed in less than 10 minutes, Restaino said.

Firefighters remained on the scene until midnight and then were called back less than an hour later to deal with a small area that still was smoldering, Cranston said.

Cranston said the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction in wiring near the home’s washing machine.



Restaino said he and his wife have five cats, two of which he has seen since the fire. He said he believed the others were alive because they were all indoor/outdoor animals. Continued...

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The Restainos are staying with their daughter and son-in-law in Lake Katrine, Restaino said.

Spring Lake firefighters were assisted at the scene by the Ulster Hose and Hurley fire departments.

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