OXFORD – An afternoon fire ripped through an Oxford home Thursday, deeming the home a total loss – the result of delays reporting the emergency to 911, and the lack of fire extinguisher training and telephone access, said authorities.

At 3:52 p.m., Chenango County 911 received a call of a structure fire at 10 Taylor St. in the Village of Oxford. Crews from the Oxford Fire arrived minutes later to the fully-involved two-story duplex rental and immediately initiated a defensive attack on neighboring 8 and 12 Taylor St. properties.

According to County Chief Dispatcher A. Jones, the fire originated in the kitchen of apartment 10a. Oxford Fire Marshal Trevor Natoli and Chenango County Fire Investigators were able to determine that the cause was an out-of-control grease fire.

“There are a number of factors that lead to a fire of this magnitude, and we don't typically see this within the Village” said Oxford Fire Chief Mike Cobb.

According to Cobb, after observing that the kitchen fire was out of control, the resident then rushed to a neighbor to alert them. While at the neighbors, the resident obtained a fire extinguisher – still in the box – and returned to the fire in an attempt to put it out.

“From what I understand, the resident didn't know how to operate the fire extinguisher and left the home again to alert her significant other who was at the nearby Dollar General. I believe that's where the call to 911 was finally placed,” said Cobb.