Chris VanPatten, whose family owned a Guilderland farmhouse for nearly a century, before selling it five years ago, was sad to see it burn on Friday.

The  Firemen’s Association of the State of New York is concerned that, with coronavirus restrictions, more people — perhaps inexperienced in the kitchen — are cooking at home and causing fires.

Classes resumed on Wednesday after temporary heat and hot water had been set up.

Westmere Fire Department is in good shape, in terms of recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters, according to President Barry Nelson. 

On Tuesday, residents of Berne and Knox will be able to vote for a fire commissioner in their respective fire districts. In Berne, Justin Crosier is seeking election, uncontested. In Knox, David Poole is seeking re-election, uncontested.

Firefighters fought the flames from inside the house and had the fire well under control in minutes, the Westmere fire chief said.

A statewide insurance program for certain firefighters afflicted with cancer has been touted for helping at-risk volunteers, but there is concern in small fire departments that the costs outweigh the benefits.

A landowner, thinking the end of the burn ban date was May 2, intentionally set his shed on fire, leading to Knox Volunteer Fire Company to respond.

“I’m proud that you guys are representing New York,” says Kevin Wisely, deputy commissioner of New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services on Thursday evening inside the State Fire’s warehouse at the Northeastern Industrial Park in Guilderland before the group of 35 members, which include New York Task Force 2, an urban search and rescue team, travels to Florida.

There were no injuries in a house fire Thursday afternoon that destroyed the kitchen at 1154 Meadowdale Road in Guilderland Center.