By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
NEW LIMERICK — The Houlton Fire Department was called to the 103 Station Road home of Kenneth Condon 7:56 p.m. Sunday for a structure fire.
According to Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone, the fire was believed to have started in the basement area of the one-story ranch home. The chief said the building was insured and was not a total loss. He added the fire was believed to have been started by improperly discarded ashes.
Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke billowing from both ends of the roof vents of Condon’s residence and flames showing inside the building. The owner of the property exited the building unharmed.
“We attacked the fire, which involved venting the roof,” Cone said. “The fire was under control at 20:35 [8:35 p.m.].”
The fire department was dismissed from the scene at 10:10 p.m. A total of 22 firefighters combated the blaze.
“Everything went well,” Cone said. “Upon my arrival I called the Houlton Water Company, because I thought we might have to deal with downed electrical lines, but we did not.
A call for mutual aid, in the form of tanker trucks, was placed to Hodgdon and Linneus. Louisiana Pacific was also called to receive permission to fill their tankers with water, if needed, Cone said. There were no injuries.