By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
On April 21, Caribou firefighters responded to a call received at 3:45 a.m. regarding a house/cellar fire on 327 York Street in Caribou.
Chief Roy Woods stated that the fire, which was confined to the basement of the single-family, ranch-style home, originated from a short in the main electrical panel in the cellar.
There were no sprinklers installed in the home, but there were working smoke detectors, which awakened the owners Gary and Kim Martin. The Martins were able to escape without injury but did lose a family cat due to smoke inhalation.
Although the home did sustain smoke damage on the main living level, “It was a great stop,” stated Chief Woods. “Our firefighters were able to contain the fire to the basement area.”
Twenty five Caribou firefighters with three units were at the scene for three and one-half hours. Mutual aid (to cover the CFD station) was provided by the Presque Isle Fire Department.
One Caribou firefighter, who sustained a minor injury while on the fire call, was treated and released at Cary Medical Center.
According to Woods, the home was insured and work had already begun to repair the damages on Thursday.
