The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office is reporting two residential fires over the weekend that caused heavy damage and left residents with no place to stay in Somerset and Hancock counties.
First, the Fairfield Fire Department was called to the scene of a house fire on Martin Stream Road in Fairfield at about 9 pm Saturday.
(Fairfield house fire – Maine Fire Marshall)
Fire investigators say they happened to be passing through the area when the call came in and were able to quickly get to the scene.
They say the fire destroyed the home. The homeowner was not present at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.
Investigators say preliminary findings indicate the fire likely originated from an electrical malfunction located within the ceiling structure or wall of the home’s addition, although further investigation is needed to pinpoint the exact failure.
Meanwhile, the Bucksport Fire Department was sent to an apartment fire at late Sunday morning at 52 US Route 1.
(Busksport apartment fire – Maine Fire Marshal)
Firefighters say they battled smoke and fire conditions originating from the first floor of a two-unit apartment building.
They say both apartments in the building were deemed uninhabitable, displacing the occupants of each unit. Two cats perished in the fire. No other injuries were reported,
Investigators determined that the fire originated in the bathroom of the first-floor unit and was caused by a malfunctioning dryer.
The American Red Cross was on scene providing assistance to the displaced tenants.
