By Susan Monteleone
NARROWSBURG — December 28, 2001 – On December 23, an early afternoon fire destroyed the home of Elizabeth Skinner, a caregiver for elderly residents, on Crackletown Road in Narrowsburg. The smoke from the afternoon fire could be seen as far away as Beach Lake, Pa., and Route 17B outside Monticello.
The Narrowsburg Fire Department had just returned from another house fire on River Road in Pennsylvania when the tones went out for the Skinner home fire. At the time, the owner was not home; however, elderly residents managed to get out of the burning building. Skinner received minor injuries when she arrived to rescue some of the residents.
The call to 911 was delayed due to the fact that Skinner had to run up the hill to a neighbor’s home to call, and it was estimated that the house burned for about half-an-hour before 911 was notified. The home was fully involved upon the arrival of the firefighters.
Narrowsburg Fire Chief Craig Burkle noted that firefighters were on the scene for over five-hours, but no one was injured. The following fire departments were called to assist Narrowsburg with the call: Lava, Lake Huntington, Honesdale, Pa., Beach Lake, Pa., Welcome Lake, Pa., and Callicoon. On standby were Yulan Fire Department, Kauneonga Lake, Hortonville, White Lake, and White Mills, Pa. The Tusten Ambulance Corps was also called to the scene.
The residents of the home are now staying at Kelly’s Home for Adults, and Skinner is with relatives. It was noted that there was no insurance on the totally destroyed home, and the fire is still under investigation.