Maine State Fire Marshals Investigating Five Fires In Three Counties Over The Last Four Days

Maine firefighters had their hands full this past weekend, as fires broke out all over the state from Friday through Sunday.

The Maine Department of Public Safety says the State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating at least five fires that took place in three different counties during the course of the last four days.

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The first fire broke out in the Oxford County town of Denmark on Friday afternoon, just before 2 PM. As firefighters responded to the home at 316 E. Main Street, they were met with intense fire coming from a garage on the property. According to officials, crews had to proceed with caution after a pair of explosions took place while firefighters were establishing a water supply, causing the battle to move outside of the structure, as it was no longer safe for folks to fight the fire from the inside.

"The homeowner and two tenants were able to escape the residence prior to being overcome by the fire. The homeowner was treated at the scene for a minor burn injury. One firefighter sustained an injury due to a fall caused by icy conditions and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The farmhouse was a complete loss."

Fire officials believe there's a chance that electrical issues with either a panel or a wall-mounted heater may have been to blame for starting that fire, but the investigation is still ongoing.

The second fire started in Somerset County in the town of Anson at 1 PM on Saturday, February 6th. Crews from Anson and the neighboring towns of Madison, Starks, Solon, Norridgewock, Farmington, and Skowhegan all responded to the report of a fire on Winter Street. Fire officials said the firefighters were able to put the fire out fairly quickly. They believe this one was an accident.

"The cause of the fire was determined to be a malfunction of a kitchen stove... No occupants were home at the time of the fire. One firefighter sustained minor injuries while operating at the scene. Several household animals perished in the fire."

Later that evening, at around 8:00 PM, fire crews in Somerset County responded to a fully involved house fire on Lang Hill Road in Palmyra.

While firefighters were able to extinguish the fire using heavy machinery, including an excavator, the extent of the damage caused by the fire suppression efforts left four adults and two children displaced. One person was treated for smoke inhalation and later released from a nearby hospital.

"Fire investigators believe the fire originated in a second-floor bedroom, within a wall space that contained old wiring or a power strip, but due to the extent of fire damage, the fire is undetermined."

Authorities say several pets died as a result of that fire, too.

About an hour and a half after that, back in Oxford County, in the town of Oxford, a garage caught fire on Tiger Hill Road.

"Occupants staying at the residence reported that a portable generator may have contributed to the fire, as the generator’s exhaust was located in close proximity to a couch inside the garage... A house that is next to the garage was exposed to the fire, but firefighters were able to prevent significant spread, limiting damage to minor exterior impacts."

The fire Marshals were called in the next day, on Sunday, to look into the details. The damage was so extensive in this case that officials have not yet been able to determine the cause of the fire, and the investigation continues.

The final fire Investigators were called in to look at took place Sunday morning, in the Washington County town of Pleasant Point, just before noon. Fire officials believe the fire at Lewy Lane started in a bedroom, at the hands of a small child.

"The cause of the fire was determined to be a 3-year-old child playing with a lighter. The child’s mother, along with an 11-year-old and a 3-year-old, were transported to a local hospital for evaluation of smoke inhalation. All were treated and released."

Authorities say in this case, the damage to the home was extensive. In this case, they say the parents have been cooperating, and the child has been connected with appropriate supportive resources.