NEW SWEDEN, Maine — The combination of a working smoke detector and the family dog meant a New Sweden homeowner was able to escape his burning home early Tuesday morning with no injuries.
The state fire marshal was on his way to the scene of the fire that destroyed the 380 Station Road home owned by Mark Prestwood, according to Caribou Fire Chief Scott Susi.
A neighbor spotted the fire and called 911 just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Susi said Tuesday morning. When firefighters arrived, he said they found the house fully ablaze and turned their attention to saving an attached garage.
Susi said 20 firefighters from Caribou, Stockholm and North Lakes Fire and Rescue engaged in a “fully exterior” battle with the fire and were able to save the garage and two vehicles parked inside.
Their efforts also saved a nearby neighbor’s cedar-sided garage. “That structure had no damage,” Susi said.
Prestwood, whose age was not immediately available, and his Great Dane were the only ones in the house at the time of the fire, Susi said.
“He had a working smoke alarm and that and the dog woke him up,” the fire chief said.
It appears the fire may have begun in the living room area of the home, where there was a pellet stove, Susi said.
Prestwood was asleep in a bedroom in the rear of the home when the fire broke out and he and his dog were able to safely exit through the smoke-filled kitchen, according to Susi.
Firefighters remained on the scene until 6:30 a.m. and no injuries were reported.
