Fires destroy two landmarks in area; Home, blueberry coop levelled

Early on the morning of Tuesday, September 28, nine-year-old Conner Cooper awoke realizing a fire was beginning to engulf his home at 69 Green Hill Road in Cooper. He awakened his parents, C.J. and Crystal Cooper, and they all fled the house. There was only a brief moment that allowed Crystal to run back in to get a cell phone. But the fire spread so quickly that they could not rescue their two cats and two dogs. They escaped with only the clothes on their backs.
The Alexander Fire Department responded at 8:35 a.m. with a fire engine and tanker. Alexander Fire Chief Ed Burgess says that the garage was already fully engulfed and the attached house was on fire. He quickly called for help from the Meddybemps, Charlotte, Baileyville and Princeton fire departments.
The house and garage burned to the ground, and a nearby parked car was also scorched by the flames. No one was injured, but the family's pets died. Tankers and firefighters remained on the scene well into the afternoon to prevent any recurrence.
Conner Cooper's grandparents, Gerald and Sharon Cooper, say that their family considers Conner a true hero. He made sure to wake up his parents, which saved all of their lives.
According to Gerald and Sharon Cooper, five generations of the Cooper family have lived and farmed at 69 Green Hill Road, and local historian John Dudley confirms that history.
A small homestead was built in 1861 by two other families. But then Samuel and Corice Cooper bought the property in 1881. Their son Carleton Cooper and his wife Lida lived there for several years. There were several acres of wild blueberries, and the small house was enlarged and a garage added. Carleton Cooper began the Down East Blueberry Coop business in that garage. His son Gerald and Gerald's wife Sharon continued the business, buying a fresh-pack processing machine. Their son C.J. and his wife Crystal joined the operation and picked over the berries so only the best were sold to the blueberry cooperative. Berries in two freezers were sold locally. Their business, "Coop's Blueberries," was the subject of an article with photographs in a past newsletter of the Crawford and Alexander Historical Society.
All of the freezers, the processing machine, two harvesters and other equipment burned up in the garage. The Coopers not only lost their home and belongings but also their business.
People and organizations are beginning to help the family. Austin Porter has set up a page on GoFundMe.com, and the Alexander Town Office is taking donations. Rhonda Oakes says the Alexander Grange may have a take out supper soon to raise funds. She can be reached at 454 2344 for more information on the supper or where clothing and other donations can be delivered.
The cause of the September 28 fire has not been determined.
Fire Chief Burgess says five fire departments responded, but only 13 firefighters arrived. This lack of manpower confirms that local fire departments need more volunteers to help in such emergencies.