Firefighters battled stubborn blaze at historic west-end Bloomfield home

UPDATE: Road now re-opened.

A portion of the west end of Bloomfield Main Street remains closed as more than two dozen firefighters battle a stubborn blaze combined with dense smoke.

Firefighters from Picton and Hallowell stations were called to the scene just before 9:30 a.m., joined by Hastings Quinte paramedics, police and Hydro One which disconnected power to the home.

A neighbour reports lifelong Bloomfield resident Dorothy Fraleigh was able to exit her more than 200-year-old historic family home, safely with a dog and cat.

“Intense heat and smoke conditions mean firefighters are fighting from the outside of the building,” said Deputy Fire Chief Tim Kraemer. “Most of the flame is inside at the back of the building. It’s a defensive attack right now, then we will be able to get inside.”

The fire started on the second floor of the home, and at times, the smoke was so black and thick, visibility was zero from the home onto the street.

The west end of Bloomfield Main Street was closed from the intersection at Stanley to the intersection going to Wellington and Belleville.

UPDATE: An electric circuit caused the fire with estimated damage at about $250,000.

– Sue Capon photos

– Photo from the collection of Jen Ronan