A fast-moving chimney fire on one of the coldest days of the year destroyed a home along Smith Road in Lodi early Tuesday.
The Ovid Fire Department said crews were dispatched around 3:40 a.m. to assist with a chimney fire. When Chief Snyder arrived, he upgraded the call to a working structure fire.
Firefighters from multiple agencies battled the blaze for more than five hours. Despite their efforts, the home could not be saved due to the building’s construction and harsh weather conditions.
Fire officials said crews were able to remove many of the homeowners’ personal belongings before conditions worsened. No injuries were reported.
The home belonged to Tim and Karen McCabe, longtime residents on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. Friends said the couple spent more than 25 years building the house themselves, shaping it piece by piece through their own craftsmanship and creative work.
The fire resulted in a total loss of the home and everything inside it. Friends said the couple escaped safely with their animals just hours before a winter storm moved into the area.
Family friends have organized a fundraiser to help cover immediate needs, site preparation, and rebuilding costs. Organizers said all donations will go directly toward helping the McCabe-Angell family recover and rebuild as quickly and safely as possible.
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