Man dies in early morning house fire
12/10/09 | 13 comments

Man dies in early morning house fire


By Sharon Kiley Mack
BDN Staff

CHERRYFIELD, Maine — A local man died early Wednesday morning in a house fire.

The fire was reported at 4:15 a.m. and was described as a chair on fire in Christopher Farnsworth’s bedroom. Farnsworth slept upstairs in a 200-year old farmhouse that he shared with his mother, Mary Farnsworth, according to Cherryfield Fire Chief Charles Curtis Jr. The chief said smoking was suspected as the cause of the fire.

According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Christopher Farnsworth woke his mother and told her his bedroom was on fire and that he was going to get some water to try to extinguish it.

Sherry Farnsworth was able to escape the burning farmhouse uninjured. She did not see her son come out of the house but told fire officials that she knew he had gone back upstairs. His body was recovered midafternoon in a room next to his bedroom, Curtis said, after an excavator was sent to the scene. The body has been taken to the Maine medical examiner’s office for autopsy and positive identification.

The farmhouse was located on U.S. Route 1, also known as Milbridge Road.

“They’re good folks,” Cherryfield Town Clerk Mona West said later in the day. “Everybody is pretty much in shock.”

The house was burned to the ground, but Curtis said only the second floor was on fire when he arrived. More than 30 firefighters from Cherryfield, Steuben, Milbridge and Harrington fought the blaze.

Curtis said entry and exit from the home was made difficult by a large number of possessions in the home. “My crews made entry very quickly but were nearly unable to find their way back out,” he said.

Curtis said the last fatal fire in Cherryfield was more than 40 years ago. Curtis knew the victim and said he was a quiet man who did seasonal work, such as woodcutting and blueberry raking.

Mary Farnsworth, who is active in community events and is a local ambulance trustee, was staying with family members who live in Cherryfield, Curtis said. “She has a son and a daughter that live here,” he said.

West said Cherryfield residents have a reputation for rallying around one another in difficult times and she expects that public suppers and other benefits will be scheduled soon.

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Comments
13 comments on this item
On 12/9/09 at 8:47 PM, bushy_m4 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

sad.....why we in the fire service cant say it enough....once your out STAY out...let us do our job stuff can be replaced...not loved ones....

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On 12/10/09 at 12:11 AM, RF5885 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

First it says "Mary Farnsworth"....then it says "Sherry Farnsworth"....then back to "Mary Farnsworth".....proofread BDN!!!

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On 12/10/09 at 5:39 AM, noreasternelly wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

prayers to the family and friends, such a sad and tragic event.

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On 12/10/09 at 6:22 AM, pegrizz wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Our little town of Cherryfield has been hit hard with the loss of everyone's friend Chris. He was a good man, loved by everyone. May God give the family strength in this difficult time.

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On 12/10/09 at 7:18 AM, ElectraGlide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Gods Speed to All

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On 12/10/09 at 7:24 AM, PabMainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Terrible tragedy for this family and the community....May God Bless, comfort & be with you all in the days ahead.....

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On 12/10/09 at 7:56 AM, pnchief wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

My condolences to the family and thanks to the fire department for their efforts. The town of Cherryfield has long been known around here for rallying around those in trouble and need, and I know they will do what they can to help the family. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

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On 12/10/09 at 8:24 AM, ataloss wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I cried for you today. I can't believe you have gone away. We shared memories and laughs for you, I think it's what you'd want us to do. we won't forget and it's not the end, because I WILL catch you on the flip side my ole' friend... Godspeed to you Chris Farnsworth--- We all love you

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On 12/10/09 at 8:28 AM, jimmiejohnson wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

My deepest sympathy to this family. I lived in Cherryfield my whole life and Mary is such a wonderful women. I hope that the town rallies around her and give her the support she needs as well as to the other family members involved. People please send kind words to this family, there are many people that this tragic event has touched. I hope in time you may heal. Best Wishes!

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On 12/10/09 at 1:31 PM, BxrsOrBriefs wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How old was the son.......... God Speed to the family........... I have alot of family in Cherryfield

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On 12/12/09 at 9:34 AM, anthoine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

very sad to hear. may god bless the rest of the family at this time.

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On 12/12/09 at 10:28 AM, surfer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

chris graduated high school with my son. it's tragic to see our children go before we do. God bless you and yours Mary.

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On 12/16/09 at 5:00 PM, downeastahway wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

it was the saddest sight of my life =( god bless not just mary and chris' family but all families that have gone threw the same pain !!

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