By LINDA KELLETT

C-S-E News Staff

ST. JOHNSVILLE — The quick response of firefighters was credited with saving a couple’s mobile home from flames late last week.

Resident Barbara Johnson, who has nearly completed payments on the mobile home at 7851 state Route 5 in the town of St. Johnsville, said St. Johnsville firefighters were able to save the residence from flames during an early morning fire there on Jan. 24.

An officer with the St. Johnsville Fire Department said the fire, reported around 1:30 a.m., started under the floor in the area of the washer and dryer.

The cause was determined to be “accidental electrical,” he said.

Power to the structure was cut off, and firefighters had to cut holes in the floor in order to extinguish the blaze, he said. While firefighters had no problems putting the blaze out, bitterly cold weather caused their equipment to freeze up later.

He said firefighters had to thaw everything out before they could leave the station.

Temperatures hovering around zero caused problems for the residents as well.

Because there was no power, they were unable to return home after the fire.

Johnson said they may have to replace their washing machine, which was taken outside; and she anticipated a lot of frozen pipes because the trailer was without heat for several days.

Johnson said, “We really didn’t lose anything because damage was minimal. [The fire] was under the trailer. There was lot of smoke, and the firemen damaged some skirting trying to get to it.”

With an electrician expected Tuesday, she was hopeful they would be able to return home soon. They have been staying in a motel until repairs could be effected, she said.

The building was insured.