Staff Writer
According to Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods, at 4:35 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, firefighters responded to a call at 8A Franklin Street. Four units, one ambulance and 24 firefighters/emergency personnel were at the scene of the two-story structure for two hours. The fire, determined by Chief Woods, started in the kitchen of the home. “The fire traveled through the walls,” stated the fire chief, “it was very difficult to extinguish because it was in the insulation which in this case, consisted of wheat, grain and straw.” According to Chief Woods, this type of insulation is common in many of the older homes throughout this area.
“Due to the fire traveling into the insulation and given the type they were dealing with, firefighters used water and a special type of foam agent to wet down the insulation. “Our men had to destroy a number of walls in several rooms in order to attack the problem, “said Woods. “The structure received smoke and water damage but most of the damage came not from the actual fire but from firefighters dealing with voids in the insulation.”
The Caribou Fire Chief stated, “I commend the firefighters for their excellent hard work and stop of this fire. This residence is in a very congested area and it was vital the fire be stopped — we could have lost additional homes in that area.”
The fire department was alerted to the fire by a call received from a bystander. The house, owned by Ann Newell, was occupied by Elizabeth Maifield, who was not at home at the time of the fire.
Chief Woods said the late afternoon fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage (structure and contents) and began in the kitchen by accident. He added there were smoke detectors in the residence but they were not in working order. The structure was insured.
Mutual aid was provided to cover the CFD station by the Presque Isle Fire Department.
There were no injuries sustained.
