WATERBORO, Maine — The state fire marshal’s office says a Waterboro woman has died in an early-morning house fire.
Fire investigators say 50-year-old Mary Gilman was found in the gutted Cape Cod house on Paradise Lane in the Lake Arrowhead section of Waterboro.
A man who stayed at the house Saturday night suffered burns and smoke inhalation. Forty-six-year-old Shawn Girard of Old Orchard Beach is being treated at Maine Medical Center in Portland.
Investigators say the fire likely started near a wood stove in a first-floor porch and rapidly spread throughout the house. Officials say Girard was awakened by smoke about 1:30 a.m. and ran to a neighbor’s house to call the fire department.
Gilman delayed her escape in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue a family pet.
So tragic. This is loving instincts at work and not logic. A kind hearted woman rescued my small dog from a pitbull. Then looked at me puzzled, “I could’ve been badly bitten; I wansn’t thinking about myself.” We just don’t in these cases. Prayers for her family and friends. This loving woman I’m certain will be missed by many.
wish I could give like more than once
@Tzuriel. Glad your little dog was saved from the pit bull. This woman was a hero, for sure!!
I second what you posted.
Stories like this make me want to smile and cry at the same time.. She must have been a very LOVING and CARING person. I’m sure she will be sadly missed :(
To older people that pets are there family there friends an companion
You just never know what you would do in a situation until it happens. I am sorry for Marys family and may she rest in peace with her pet <3
Some people reading the comments will not understand how powerful the love of a family pet is. My first cat who is in a special place called heaven taught showed me and opened my heart to know what love was. My second cat did and is helping me with breast cancer. Andre Me U seems to know when I am having a super bad day. He pushes at me, meow’s in a certain voice and gets me up and doing. He also rubs me very gently on these days. I am blessed to be owned by a cat. So yes I do get why people put themselves in harm to save a pet.
My thoughts are with her family and friends.
Where in this story does it say she had either family or friends?
Really, that’s what you have to say?
Obviously that is what I had to say. So your point is?
Some people may not understand but a pet is far more a member of the family, and far more than just an animal. I am sorry for the loss of this lady, but might do very much the same if either of my two cats were in danger.
Well worded post.
god bless this woman
I’m sorry this woman lost her life but she didn’t have to. As a former firefighter I know firsthand how difficult it is to not make an attempt to rescue a pet. I know a lot of you think of pets as family but your life is more important to a lot of other real life humans than a pets life is.
We have children, we have mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and daughters and your pet does not. I’m not trying to be cruel but please do not ever run into a structure that is on fire to rescue your pet.
You life is more important to a lot of others than your pet ever will be. Think about your loved ones before you think about your pet.
Yeah, I know all that…. Just as I’m sure this woman did…. BUT I’m still not leaving without my cats.
Incidentally this woman’s “loved ones” are not mentioned in this story. What makes you think she had any….save the pet?
This makes me so sad. I have a cat that I love dearly but I guess that I would leave him if I couldn’t get out safely. However, I certainly can understand why she did this. May she rest in peace, poor lady.
Bittersweet story. Nice to see someone who loves another being so much.Too bad it had to end this was..Sweet lady.
I know it’s not the “smart” choice to try and save your pets but I’d do it without hesitation. They are my babies and would do anything for them.
Sad story.Pets are part of the family