The Presque Isle Fire Department were notified of the fire at 448 Houlton Rd. around 12:50 p.m. on May 29.
“When we arrived on the scene, the fire was coming out all the windows. High winds hampered our ability to fight the blaze,” said Deputy Fire Chief Adam Rider.
Rider said the home, located just south of the Stewart farm and owned by Kathy Perry, was considered a total loss. He was not sure if the home was insured. City tax records indicated the land was valued at $11,000, while the home was valued at $12,000.
“It was an older, two-story farmhouse. The wind drove the fire, destroying the structure,” he said.
Rider said the cause of the fire may never be known.
“Due to the extent of damage, the fire is undetermined – it was an older home. It’s hard to say what the cause was,” said Rider.
About 15 firefighters fought the blaze.
“We were on the scene for close to four hours bringing it under control,” said Rider. “No one was home at the time the fire broke out and no one was injured.”
Rider did indicate at least one pet, a cat, may have perished.
Sparks ignited grass and a nearby lumber pile but firefighters were able to quickly extinguish that fire.
“Sparks caught a board pile on fire but firefighters using the brush truck were able to keep it from spreading,” said Rider.
The PIFD received mutual aid from the Caribou Fire Department, who covered the station while local firefighters fought the blaze. Sgt. Joey Seeley and Officers Lynn Hartley and Peter Johnson, of the PIPD, assisted with traffic. Northbound traffic was allowed to pass, while southbound traffic was detoured for a couple hours to allow crews better access for the fire trucks.
