UPDATED: Cause of 'stubborn' Griswold blaze under investigation

Griswold — Fire investigators Saturday had not yet determined the cause of a blaze that damaged a home at 19 George Palmer Road.

Fred Marzec, deputy chief of the Griswold Volunteer Fire Company, said investigators have determined the point of origin, but he wouldn't get into any specifics. He described the Friday night fire as "stubborn" because it had reached the attic by the time firefighters were able to negotiate the long, narrow driveway, and rescue personnel had to spend a long time dealing with flare-ups that occurred after the blaze largely had been quelled.

"About half the house was destroyed by fire," Marzec said in a phone interview Saturday night.

Laurie A. Bowers is listed as owner of the 2,400-square-foot home, which also has with an in-ground pool, but Marzec said she wasn't at the residence at the time of the fire. Bowers' 24-year-old daughter, Kimberly, and a 4-year-old niece were able to escape from the home on their own, he said.

The family has been forced to vacate the Cape Cod-style home and is staying in a local hotel, Marzec added.

Dozens of firefighters fought the blaze that engulfed the two-story home, which was built in 1953 and is bordered by a golf course.

It took about an hour to get the fire under control. Griswold, Lisbon, Preston City, Poquetanuck, Taftville, Voluntown and Plainfield fire departments were among those that responded. Ledyard and state police and Griswold ambulance responded as well.

l.howard@theday.com