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Unattended fire likely cause of blaze that destroyed cabin

A fire on Ellicott Road in the town of Portland. Photo by Dan Kohler

BROCTON — The Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team has determined the cause of a fire that destroyed a cabin and heavily damaged a pickup truck Friday near Brocton.

The blaze at 6026 Ellicott Road in the town of Portland was reported at 3:20 a.m. Everyone managed to get out of the property, described as a cabin about 100 to 150 yards off the road.

No injuries were reported.

Members of the county Fire Investigation Team determined that debris and ashes from garbage that had been burned earlier and left unattended blew toward the cabin.

“There were several combustible items around the cabin that ignited,” said Capt. Rich Telford of the Fire Investigation Team, noting “pretty steady winds” in the early morning hours Friday. “A pick up truck was also heavily damaged in the fire.”

Assisting Brocton and Portland crews were firefighters from West Dunkirk, Westfield, Chautauqua and Stockton. Chautauqua County EMS and sheriff’s deputies also responded.

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