Fire engulfs historic building

MILFORD — On Friday afternoon flames engulfed the carriage house studio at 144 Sawkill Avenue in Milford, where Francis “Frank” McCourt wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Angela’s Ashes." The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

An investigation to determine the cause of the fire is underway, said Fire Lt. Matt Adames of the Milford Volunteer Fire Department. He said singer Martha Lorin, who lives in the house, escaped the fire.

The alarm sounded at 2:43 p.m. on Friday, with fire equipment from Milford, Dingmans, and Westfall Volunteer Fire Departments responding. The fire was in the detached barn at the address, which sits next to the parking area for the Waterwheel Restaurant.

Adames said that an unnamed person was transported from the scene for undisclosed injuries, but that all department personnel were safe and uninjured. He could not confirm reports that there were animals in the barn. Unconfirmed reports say a woman, presumably the resident, had gone back into the barn to rescue cats.

Damage to the structure is extensive. Smoke poured out from the windows, doors, and a roof vent long after the blaze was extinguished.

A fire investigator has been dispatched to determine the cause of the fire.