SKANEATELES — Firefighters from multiple departments battled a large house fire Tuesday afternoon at 2980 County Line Rd. that caused a roof collapse, a wall collapse, and extended operations for nearly two hours as crews worked through water-supply problems and bitter cold.
The fire was first reported at 12:11 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2026, with early updates indicating the south end of the home was fully engulfed. Because the area relies heavily on tanker water delivery, additional tankers were requested from Cayuga County soon after the call. SAVES Ambulance was dispatched at 12:13 p.m. as a precaution.
Water supply challenges
By 12:24 p.m., crews were setting up a portable water pond — a large, temporary tank used on scenes without nearby hydrants. Tanker trucks shuttle water to the scene and dump into the pond, allowing engines to draft water and keep hose lines flowing. Radio traffic later indicated water supply issues, with tankers needing to refill in the village to keep the shuttle going.
Crews pulled out as conditions deteriorated
At 12:25 p.m., a roof collapse was reported. Two minutes later, at 12:27 p.m., command ordered crews to evacuate the interior and switch to outside operations.
That change is often called going “defensive.” Instead of firefighters working inside the building, crews focus on attacking the fire from the outside using hose lines and, when available, larger streams from trucks. This is typically done when the structure becomes unstable or conditions become too dangerous.
At 12:48 p.m., a wall collapse was reported on the “delta side” of the structure. Firefighters use the terms Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta to describe the four sides of a building so everyone is talking about the same locations on scene.
More help requested
As heavy fire conditions continued and the fire was not yet under control, command requested additional tankers and manpower. Departments including Montville and Moravia were sent, followed by a second-alarm request for added resources from Jordan, West Niles, and Sennett. Howlett Hill Fire Department was also requested later for manpower.
Radio “timers” were announced throughout the incident (including 30, 51, 60, 72, 95, and 110 minutes). These are commonly used at major fires to track how long crews have been operating and to help command monitor conditions, resource needs, and firefighter safety.
Cold weather and rehab
Responders also faced very cold weather, requiring frequent rotation of crews. Firefighters reportedly warmed up and recovered in vehicles near the scene — a common practice known as rehab, where crews rest, rehydrate, and get checked after working in extreme conditions.
Fire knocked down; Red Cross notified
At 1:25 p.m., radio traffic indicated fire in the basement with remaining hot spots — areas that are still smoldering and can flare up. At 1:34 p.m., dispatch confirmed the American Red Cross had been notified and was on scene to assist. By 1:57 p.m., crews were requesting a fire investigator.
At 2:03 p.m., an ending time was reported, with the primary fire knocked down — meaning the main body of fire had been brought under control, though crews typically remain to extinguish remaining hot spots and assist investigators.
No injuries were reported in the updates provided. The cause of the fire has not been released.
