WESTERLO — A Westerlo house fire was successfully aborted after it started in the chimney, said Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company Chief Kevin Flensted.

Flensted said that the fire company was dispatched at 4:52 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, after one of the two residents had called 9-1-1. The crew of about 20 firefighters arrived within five minutes to the home at 3589 Route 85.

Flensted said the crew took about 15 minutes to locate the fire within a wall of the home. The chimney in the house had a thimble piece connecting the wall to the chimney, which had rusted and exposed the inside of the wall, he said.

After breaking down the wall behind the chimney to reach the fire, it was extinguished with about 2 gallons of water in a matter of minutes. The fire company then inspected the home to ensure there were no extensions of the fire and that the home was properly ventilated. They left the scene by 6:30 a.m.

Flensted said that there was light smoke damage in the home and that there was a brick wall behind the fireplace and sheetrock that was damaged in order to enter the wall. He said that the home should be habitable and estimated the damage at $5,000 to $6,000.

The Albany County assessment roll lists the property as being owned by Gordon and Persefini Ryerson, with a full-market value of $142,857.

The fire chief warned about the buildup of creosote this time of year, due to homeowners having a low, slow-burning fire due to warmer temperatures.