NORWICH – In less than a 12-hour period Thursday, fire crews responded to a home fire in the City of Norwich and a barn fire in the Town of Preston.

At 12:46 p.m., the Norwich Fire Department responded to a house fire at 22 Hill View Dr. after several neighbors called 911 to report they could see flames and smoke pouring out from the two-story home and connecting garage.

The Oxford Fire Department was also called for mutual aid and remained on standby during the fire.

Neighbors John and Sharon Provo called 911 after they heard an explosion. “Actually we were just at home and heard a loud boom. My wife looked up and saw the place was on fire. She called 911, and I went over to see if Mrs. Rabinowitz was home,” said John.

“They said they heard some kind of an explosion. We believe it was the power line coming off the house,” explained Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo.

The home, owned by Harriet Rabinowitz, was unoccupied at the time of the fire.