Fire destroyed a home Monday afternoon on State Route 21 in the Town of Manchester.
According to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and several fire departments were called to 370 State Route 21 around 1 p.m. for a reported structure fire. Authorities say the home was heavily damaged and ultimately destroyed by the fire. Investigators believe the fire may have started near a wood stove.
Two residents, Benjamin Huling and Michelle Harding, were inside the home at the time. No injuries were reported. However, a family cat was trapped inside the residence and died in the fire.
The Red Cross responded to assist the occupants, along with Manchester Code Enforcement and the Ontario County Fire Investigation Team. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Responding agencies included the Manchester Fire Department, Shortsville Fire Department, Port Gibson Fire Department, and Finger Lakes Ambulance.
