Fire starts in debris pile next to garage
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A garage was damaged at a Parsons Street residence Monday when debris adjacent to the building caught fire.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
BURNING DEBRIS was found to be the cause of a fire that damaged a building at 33 Parsons St. on Monday. Here, members of the Presque Isle Fire Department extinguish flames that had spread to the side of the garage. Fire conditions remain very high this week, with burning restricted in many areas still.
“The Presque Isle Fire Department responded to a garage fire at 33 Parsons St. around 3:11 p.m. on May 6. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze” before it could spread to neighboring properties, said Captain Vince Baldwin, of the PIFD.
“With a quick response, we were able to keep fire damage to a minimum,” said Baldwin.
No injuries were reported.
Baldwin said the fire began outside the structure but a cause has not been determined.
“The fire started on the outside of the building in a debris pile. The cause of the fire is undetermined, following investigation,” said Baldwin.
Linda Gardiner, whose property is next door to where the fire occurred, said she had just arrived home when she spotted the fire and called for help.
“I drove in and could see smoke. I called to report it, then began hosing down my garage and lawn. It’s so dry, all it would take is one spark for the fire to spread to my property,” said Gardiner, as she sprayed her pine needle-covered lawn with water, then turned her attention to the side of her garage. “I just had my garage finished in the past year. This is my home, all I’ve got. I wanted to make sure nothing happened to it.”
Gardiner said she was reassured by firefighters that her home was not in danger but she said she wasn’t taking any chances.
“I’d rather be safe than sorry,” she said. “I’d rather use my water and be sure I’m safe. What if the firefighters leave and a small spot flares up again? This way I know my lawn’s wet and will reduce any chance of that happening.”
Two engines and the ladder truck responded, with a total of 14 personnel. It took less than an hour to extinguish the fire.
Unusually warm temperatures and lack of rain have resulted in extremely dry conditions throughout Maine, with a number of wildfires being reported in the past two weeks.
Officials are warning the public that the fire danger remains at the “very high” level and in most areas of Aroostook County, no burning is being allowed until further notice or we receive some precipitation. For more information or to inquire about obtaining a burn permit, contact your local fire department or fire warden.
