By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
OXBOW, Maine — A popular sportsmen’s destination and historic landmark was completely destroyed by fire early Saturday morning.
The fire was reported by a woods worker shortly after 2 a.m., who found the Oxbow Lodge engulfed in flames as he passed on his way into the North Maine woods.
Assistant Fire Chief Steven Sherman and others from the Oxbow/Masardis Volunteer Fire Department responded minutes later but found the building already collapsed into the cellar.
A video taken at the scene by Judy Sherman, Steven’s wife, around 3:30 a.m. was posted on her Facebook page later Saturday morning. The clip shows the huge, multi-level structure reduced to a pile of burning rubble.
No one was at home at the time of the fire. The property is operated by Chad Deabay, who was away with family when the fire occurred. Ashland Fire Department provided mutual aid.
The cause has not been determined. The building is a total loss.
Firefighters had a difficult time tackling the blaze due to weather. The temperature at the time was reported to be 20 degrees below zero.
