WHITEFIELD, Maine — Ten residents of a Whitefield home were safely evacuated before a Tuesday afternoon blaze destroyed the residence, but a number of pets were still missing Wednesday morning.
Dozens of firefighters from six Lincoln County departments rushed to the home, at 452 Mills Road, just after 4 p.m. Tuesday.
When firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed, Whitefield Fire Chief Scott Higgins said Wednesday from the scene.
The home is owned by Sarah and Ted Rideout, according to tax records.
The building was a total loss, Higgins said, but the battle “went as well as could be expected,” given the severity of the fire upon their arrival.
Blizzard conditions didn’t hamper firefighters, Higgins said, noting that Whitefield roads were “very well-maintained” and water was available less than a half-mile from the home.
Another house, about 50 feet from the home that burned, received no damage, nor did a camper in the yard.
Crews cleared the scene just before midnight, Higgins said, but the chief was back at the scene Wednesday morning with a backhoe “to finally get this thing out.”
Higgins said he heard an unconfirmed report that an occupant of the home suffered “a slight burn,” but no firefighters were injured.
The American Red Cross was at the scene Tuesday to assist the residents.
The Lincoln County News reported Tuesday that four dogs and two cats were missing. Higgins said Wednesday that he was not sure how many pets were still unaccounted for.
Mills Road, also known as Route 218, was closed while crews battled the flames on Tuesday, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.