CLIFTON, Maine — A disabled homeowner and his tenant, who also is disabled, are trying to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of a fire that swept through the basement of the 115-year-old farmhouse-turned-duplex they were living in on Route 9.
The April 20 fire, which began when a space heater ignited flammables stored nearby, left Jason Bishop, 47, and Andrew Bien, 34, along with the 10 cats and a husky they have between them, without a home.
Bishop said Tuesday that he and Bien were just arriving at the office of a veterinarian in Brewer with four of the cats when they received a call from a neighbor telling them that their home was on fire.
Bishop said he and Bien rushed to find fire crews already at work. “There was smoke billowing out of some of the windows and the chimneys and in the basement windows, there were a couple of them, one especially, shooting flames under [Bien’s] truck,” said Bishop, who owns the house.
Because the truck was parked close to the house and could not be moved at the time, firefighters sprayed the area, preventing further damage.
“We’re lucky. It could have done a lot of damage” had the truck exploded, which could have led to injuries, he added.
But their foremost fears were about their animals, Bishop said.
“They found five of the cats that night,” Bishop said. “They needed oxygen, the cats did.” The sixth cat was located the next day, he said. Firefighters also rescued the husky.
“When they arrived, they kicked in the porch door and got to the dog,” he said, adding that a neighbor took the dog to the small engine repair business across the street. Bishop said that he usually puts the dog in a crate in his home while he is out.
“God. I didn’t even think about it at the time but somebody mentioned to me later that that crate would have melted onto her before she burned and I could not imagine the thought of that,” he said.
“That was the only thing I was worried about when I got there. The animals. The house can be replaced but the animals, you can’t replace something that you have held and been there with, loved all their lives.”
Though the worst of the fire damage was contained to the basement, the rest of the farmhouse had heavy water and smoke damage as well as a thick layer of soot, Bishop said.
Bishop said that he and Bien are grateful for assistance they have received from the Red Cross, the East Eddington Community Church, the Clifton Baptist Church and the First Light Assembly of God, but what resources they have are dwindling quickly. Bishop said they are not receiving enough in disability benefits to replace what they’ve lost or to continue staying at the motel.
Bishop is unable to work due to a range of conditions that include diabetes, hypertension and back problems that stem from heavy lifting he did as a grocery store worker. Bien’s disabilities are the result of serious head and bodily injuries he incurred in a car crash several years ago.
Bishop said the two have enough money left between them to cover next week’s motel stay but that he isn’t sure what they will do after that.
“I don’t know. We’re taking it one day at a time,” he said. “I’m hopeful that the Lord will provide.”
While the duplex was insured, neither Bishop nor Bien had coverage for their belongings, Bishop said, adding that it’s not yet clear whether the house can be repaired at a reasonable cost.
Bishop said he was told it could take as long as two months for the insurance company to decide what it will do about the building.
As it stands, Bishop’s younger daughter and her mother are taking care of three of the cats, while Bishop’s older daughter temporarily took in Bishop’s husky, who soon will need another home because the landlord said the dog needs to go somewhere else.
Bien’s parents are taking care of three more cats, while a friend took in one more.
When asked what was needed to help get their lives back on track, the first thing on Bishop’s list was a temporary home for the three cats he has been unable to place. The felines currently are living in one of the rooms back at the damaged house in Clifton.
Also helpful would be clothing — both wear extra large men’s shirt sizes and 36-inch-waist pants with 30 to 32 inseams — small kitchen appliances, tools, nonperishable food items, gift cards, pet supplies, hygiene products and monetary contributions for food, shelter and medications, Bishop said, adding that prayers also are welcomed.
The two also are hoping someone can steer them toward a pet-friendly rental they can afford. If and when that happens, they likely will need furniture, Bishop said.
Donations can be dropped off at Holbrook Middle School in Holden. Monetary donations can be made to The Bishop/Bien Family Fire Fund at TD Bank on Wilson Street in Brewer. To donate online, go to gofundme.com/tfc4qvc or familyfirefund.myevent.com. Bishop and Bien can be reached at familyfirefunds@yahoo.com.