PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Several families were left with no home for the holidays, after fire broke out at two structures in Presque Isle at different times on Friday.
The first blaze took place at 27 Allen Street, a multi-family apartment unit, at approximately 9 a.m. The Presque Isle Fire Department was dispatched and arrived shortly after receiving the call. Upon arrival, crews found the structure fully involved.
“When we arrived, there was already heavy damage. Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the fire. Pets inside the building weren’t so lucky,” said Deputy Fire Chief Rich Wark. “Our crew received mutual aid from Caribou, Mapleton and Easton crews.”
It took the better part of Friday to put out the blaze. Tim Lowell, and investigator with the Fire Marshal’s Office, was called to the scene to investigate. Lowell’s attempts to determine the cause were hindered by the structural integrity of the building. Attempts to enter the apartment house were deemed too risky for a thorough investigation to be performed. Officials are unsure if a cause will ever be determined.
Firefighters found fighting the blaze difficult, since the structure – once a one-family home – had subsequently been divided into multiple units, creating void spaces between walls from several renovations over the years. Flames filled the voids, making extinguishing the fire difficult.
The home, owned by Deggary Priest, of Mapleton, was determined to be a total loss. There was no word if the facility was insured.
An exact number of tenants was not known at presstime, since some occupants were reportedly away from home for the holidays. A fund-raising dance was held over the weekend to raise money for tenants who lost everything in the fire. The American Red Cross was notified and began offering aid, in the form of food and hotel vouchers, to displaced tenants.
In all, approximately 30 firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control by 10:30 a.m. Crews remained on site until late in the afternoon, cleaning up debris.
The Presque Isle Police Department blocked and re-routed traffic in the area of Allen and Elm streets, as firefighters worked to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby homes. No other structures were affected by the blaze. Maine Public Service was called to disconnect power to the house.
Crown Ambulance also offered assistance at the scene.
Firefighters had no sooner returned to the station, following the morning fire, when they were notified of a second home fire at a residence on the Cleaves Road.
“We received a second call reporting a fire on the Cleaves Road, between Presque Isle and Easton, at approximately 5:30 p.m.,” said Wark.
Upon arrival, crews discovered members of the Easton Fire Department were already at the scene and had the fire under control.
Damage to the home, owned by Reginald Elliott, was primarily contained on the second floor. Wark indicated someone living at the residence returned to the home shortly after 5:30 p.m., smelled smoke and heard what sounded like crackling coming from inside the building.
“Presque Isle and Easton crews brought the fire under control quickly, although the second floor sustained heavy fire damage,” said Wark.
Two occupants of the home were able to retrieve a number of items, including furniture and Christmas presents. The home was insured. The residents are reportedly staying with family.
No injuries were sustained in the Cleaves Road fire, nor were any pets injured.
“We heard a noise and found a cat. But it’s fine,” said Grant Spinney, of the PIFD.
Crown Ambulance assisted at the second fire scene as well.
What sparked the fire remains under investigation.
