NORWAY — Two people were left homeless after an early-morning blaze destroyed a farmhouse. 

The blaze occurred at 209 Frost Hill Road, a remote, dead-end road atop a low hill about 5 miles from Pennesseewassee Lake. The fire destroyed a house and attached barn. Two horses and a dog were rescued by firefighters. 

Fire Chief Dennis Yates said he was having breakfast at Daddy O’s in Oxford around 7:20 a.m. when the owner alerted him to smoke drifting over some hills.

“We’ve got a fire,” Yates said.

Crews from fire departments across Oxford County responded to the blaze. By 8 a.m. firefighters had the blaze under control, but there was no chance of saving the house due to its age, Yates said.

Tankers from neighboring fire departments drew water from Norway Lake and transported it to the scene. Crews left around 3 p.m. 

Homeowner Roberta Wilner and a tenant were not home at the time of the fire, which Yates said he suspects may have started inside the house. He said he did not believe the home was insured. 

The American Red Cross is providing food and shelter. 

A state fire marshal is working to determine the cause of the fire. Yates said he thought it would be ruled accidental.

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