Fire Destroys Dwelling in Forest Home (Home of Floyd and Gladys Andrews)
The Ithaca Journal, Nov 26 1926, P. 5, Cols. 5-6
"F. E. Andrews and Guests Were Sitting Down to Thanksgiving Dinner When Flames Were Discovered
— Unable to Save Anything
Just as they were about to enjoy a happy Thanksgiving Day dinner, the family of F. E. Andrews of Forest Home and their guests were driven out by fire which completely destroyed their home and entire belongings early last evening. The loss is estimated at several thousand dollars, a portion of which is covered by insurance.
The Andrews family and their guests were about to sit down to dinner shortly after 5 o'clock, when smoke was discovered coming from the cellar and filling the front part of the house. Mr. Andrews investigated and found the front end of the cellar a mass of flames.
Mr. Andrews barely had time to escape uninjured and was unable to save anything before the flames spread rapidly throughout the entire house. Within an hour after the fire had been discovered the house and contents was a mass of smouldering debris, despite heroic efforts of neighbors and firemen from Ithaca.
== Department Sends Aid ==
When the blaze was first discovered, Ithaca fire headquarters was notified and a triple piece was sent to the scene. They were unable to use this effectively, because of recent high waters which had washed out a driveway leading to the creek. Chemicals were used, but with little effect.
A bucket line was then formed from the creek to the burning house, but efforts to subdue the flames were unavailing. Flames shot skyward and with a slight wind from the South, were fanned into renewed life and lighted the sky for almost an hour. Hundreds of spectators visited the scene of one of the most severe fires that Forest Home has had in several years.
The Andrews family is now staying with Mrs. Andrews' parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Westervelt, who reside a short distance away."