Vacant house fire in Little Falls

LITTLE FALLS, November 30, 2009 -- A fire in a vacant house on the corner of Waverly Place and Garden Street didn't last very long Monday night.

The call came in to the Herkimer County Emergency 911 Center at 9:15 p.m., according to dispatchers -- and by 10:15 p.m., firefighters cleared the scene.

Three fire engines from the Little Falls Fire Department and a Little Falls Police patrol car responded to the scene and traffic up and down the block was closed for less than an hour. There were no flames visible from the street; but smoke billowed from the already broken windows for about 15 minutes. Firefighters remained at the scene after the smoke cleared looking for hot spots while onlookers watched.

Outside the home, Augar Construction had a dumpster in the yard. While no one was residing in the home, witnesses on the scene said it was under renovations. While the homeowner was present, she did not wish to comment.

Little Falls Fire Chief Robert Parese stayed on the scene longer than first responders as part of the fire investigation. He arrived back at the fire station just after 11 p.m. and said the cause and origin were yet to be determined. He added more information would be available Tuesdayafternoon.

Check back at Uticadailynews.com for additional information later.