MAYFIELD, NY — August 12, 2026 — Following reports of smoke coming from a home's basement, firefighters were called to a suspected structure fire on County Highway 155 in the Town of Mayfield on Wednesday afternoon.

The Perth Volunteer Fire Company was sent for automatic mutual assistance, although the Broadalbin-Kennyetto Volunteer Fire Company was the main department responding to the event.

There was a lot of smoke in the basement, according to the arriving staff. In order to examine and identify the source of the smoke, interior personnel went inside the house.

Firefighters ultimately found that the problem was caused by a water heater malfunction rather than an active structure fire, according to the available incident report. An earlier report described the issue as electrical in nature, while the Perth Fire Company identified the malfunction specifically as involving the water heater.

The Canajoharie Police Department and Lake Valley EMS were also reported to have responded, and National Grid was requested to address the electrical issue identified during the investigation.