FARMINGTON — A fire that destroyed a home at 167 Morrison Hill Road on Friday was believed to have started around the wood stove, according to Fire Chief Terry Bell.

The two-story structure owned by Hollis Rackliffe caught fire at about 8:20 Friday morning. Rackliffe told firefighters that he first noticed smoke around the chimney on the second floor.

The home was not insured, Bell said.

Neighbors said Rackliffe was OK but suffered some smoke inhalation. Later in the day, Bell said Rackliffe was fine and was not taken to the hospital. The American Red Cross was called in to help find him lodging.

“It is a wind-driven fire,” Deputy Chief Tim Hardy said at the scene.

Heavy smoke, often dark, hampered visibility for firefighters even an hour later. A strong wind sent billows into the air and masked the house from view.

Crews from Temple, Wilton and Jay were helping on scene, Bell said.

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Firefighters from Farmington and surrounding towns battle a house fire at 167 Morrison Hill Road in Farmington on Friday morning. (Ann Bryant/Franklin Journal)

Wind-driven smoke hampers visibility as local fire departments battle a house fire at 167 Morrison Hill Road in Farmington on Friday morning. (Ann Bryant/Franklin Journal)

Firefighters from Farmington and surrounding towns battle a house fire at 167 Morrison Hill Road in Farmington on Friday morning. (Ann Bryant/Sun Media Group)

Wind-driven smoke hampers visibility as local fire departments battle a house fire at 167 Morrison Hill Road in Farmington on Friday morning. (Ann Bryant/Sun Media Group)