Fire heavily damages Fort home

FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Several fire departments spent much of Saturday afternoon battling a blaze at a home belonging to the Millers located on the Houlton Road/Route 1A, near the intersection with Up Country Road.
According to Fire Chief Mike Jalbert, the fire was reported by a passserby. It’s believed to have started as a result of ashes being shoveled out a window, which subsequently set debris outside the home on fire, which then spread to the house. The home is located next to the Amish roofing business. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to nearby structures.
The Fort Fairfield Fire Department responded, with mutual aid provided by Easton, Presque Isle, Mars Hill and Caribou fire departments; about 40 firefighters worked to put out the blaze.
Route 1A was closed to through traffic for nearly four hours due to thick smoke and emergency vehicles blocking passage. Neither the family nor emergency personnel reported any injuries.
Members of the Amish community assisted the Millers in removing furnishings and other belongings from the home as firefighters worked to bring the fire under control. The three-story structure was heavily damaged  by the fire, smoke and water, but plans are already underway to begin rebuilding.
The age of the structure and the fact the home had a metal roof over its original made it difficult going for crews, who also struggled with windy conditions and the heat of the day. Bottled water was brought in to help re-hydrate  crews.
Jalbert went to the home on Monday to determine the full extent of the damage and whether the home can be rebuilt or is a total loss. Since the fire, family and friends have been working to clear debris so they can better assess the situation and determine whether to rebuild or start fresh.
Also assisting at the scene and with traffic control were Crown Ambulance, Sgt. Shawn Newell of the Fort Fairfield Police Department and members of the U.S. Border Patrol.