Blaze destroys car
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – A car was destroyed by fire Jan. 29 in the parking lot of Kelly’s Fabric Care Center, next to McDonald’s on Main Street.
FIREFIGHTERS from the Presque Isle Fire Department extinguished a car fire in Presque Isle Jan. 30. Rose Whittaker, owner of the car, was at Kelly’s Fabric Care Center on Main Street when she witnessed smoke coming from her vehicle. The PIFD responded and kept the fire from spreading to nearby businesses and homes. The car was considered a total loss.
Quick response by the Presque Isle Fire Department prevented the fire from spreading to the nearby businesses and homes.
“The car is owned by Rose Whittaker, of Presque Isle. Whittaker was inside doing laundry when she witnessed smoke coming from her vehicle. She went out and attempted to extinguish the blaze but was unable to and contacted the PIFD,” said Captain Vince Baldwin, PIFD.
A crew of three firefighters and an engine responded and had the fire out in a matter of minutes. Baldwin said the 1997 Dodge Intrepid was believed to be a total loss.
“Whittaker was taken to The Aroostook Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation and minor injuries. After interviewing the owner, it was determined that careless disposal of smoking materials inside the vehicle was the cause of the blaze,” said Baldwin.
Baldwin’s crew had also assisted with the fatal fire in Easton earlier the same day, which was later determined to likely have been caused by smoking materials.
“Folks should use care in disposing of smoking materials. Both of Tuesday’s fires could have been prevented, had such materials been handled properly,” said Baldwin.
