A fast-moving fire destroyed an old home at 485 Maple Ridge Road, near Haskell Hill Road.

HARRISON — Firefighters from at least a half-dozen towns spent much of their time battling grass fires Tuesday after arriving at the scene of a structure fire at 485 Maple Ridge Road.

That’s because the 19th-century house and barn was fully-engulfed in flames by the time water could be brought to the scene via a tanker shuttle from Crystal Lake, a mile and a quarter away. The fire, called in by a passerby at 3:55 p.m., gutted the structure, but the family and two dogs were able to escape unharmed.

High winds caused fields adjacent to the home and across the street to catch fire, and firefighters focused their efforts on dousing the fields before the flames could spread further.

It took around four hours before fire crews cleared the scene, and traffic was rerouted on Maple Ridge Road.

Fire Chief Dana LaPlante said the Red Cross has been called in to assist the family.