Firefighters save farmhouse
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
MAPLETON — Firefighters were able to prevent a fire that destroyed a garage on the Waddell Road June 16 from spreading to the adjacent home.
“We got the call from the renter of the property around 11 a.m. reporting a garage fire. She said she heard a noise and went to investigate. That’s when she discovered the fire,” said Chief Richard Wark, Mapleton Fire Department, who credited the woman’s quick actions for saving the home.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
HIGH WINDS made fighting a garage fire on the Waddell Road in Mapleton last Thursday difficult. Crews from the Mapleton and Presque Isle fire departments were able to extinguish the blaze before it spread to a nearby home. The cause of the fire has not been specified. Here, a member of the Mapleton Fire Department hoses down the structure.
Mapleton’s crew received mutual aid from the Presque Isle Fire Department, which sent a tanker and crew. Also responding to assist were Crown Ambulance and Maine Public Service.
The fire destroyed the garage and its contents but the residence sustained only minimal damage.
“The garage is a total loss. The main structure sustained water and smoke damage,” Wark said.
The property, owned by Gail Wood and James Myers, was insured, according to Wark. No estimate was available on the loss.
Wark said firefighters were lucky to be able to prevent the fire from spreading, given the weather at the time.
“The wind was an issue but we were able to knock it (the fire) down quickly,” said Wark.
