Staff Writer
WASHBURN – A child reportedly playing with some form of fire-starting implement was determined to be the cause of a Valentine’s Day fire in a housing complex just a few hundred feet from the local elementary and high schools. Washburn Police Chief Doug Conroy was first to respond to a call around 9:30 a.m. Feb. 14 reporting a fire at Story Hill, a housing complex located off Wilder St. The property is owned by Stanford Management, of Portland.
“When I heard the call it said a child was involved. I hurried over and went inside but was driven back by the smoke,” said Conroy.
Conroy indicated that black smoke had filled the stairwell, making it difficult to breath.
“Just one breath and my lungs began to fill up. I contacted the Fire Department and advised it was a serious one,” he continued.
Conroy said the Washburn Fire Department, an all volunteer service, was quick to respond and were able to get the fire out before it caused too much damage.
“The department is all volunteers and most work a ways from town. But they got there quickly and took care of the situation,” said Conroy.
Washburn’s Assistant Fire Chief Troy Heald said upon arrival his crew entered the building and found the fire had damaged an upstairs bedroom in the apartment.
“We were called out for a reported fire at a residence on Story Hill where it was determined a child had accidentally set a mattress on fire. When we arrived on the scene, the men entered the building and located the fire in the upstairs section of the building,” said Heald.
Heald credited his crew for preventing the fire from spreading to other apartments.
“The men who went in did an exceptional job in getting the fire out. The fire did damage to the bedroom and caused smoke damage to the remainder of the apartment,” said Heald.
Caribou Fire and Ambulance and Crown Ambulance offered mutual aid at the scene. The state Fire Marshal’s Office was also contacted and investigated the incident.
“The fire marshal found the cause to be a mattress was accidentally set afire by a juvenile in the apartment,” explained Heald.
Firefighters were clear of the scene by 11 a.m. No injuries were reported as the result of the fire.
“There were just two people in the apartment at the time – a child and one adult. They both got out without injury. The family had to find housing elsewhere following the fire,” said Heald.
Heald indicated he did not have an estimate on the damage to the structure but that the damage was minimal considering what the result could have been had the fire spread throughout the complex.
Heald urged adults to keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
“We’re not sure what was used to start the fire – whether it was matches or lighters. It’s so important to keep fire-producing materials away from children. Getting novelty lighters banned is the big thing,” said Heald, noting novelty lighters look too much like toys and therefore attract children’s attention.
“This could have been a lot worse. It should serve as a reminder to keep flammable materials – matches and such – out of the reach of children. This family was lucky,” said Conroy.
