FORT KENT, Maine — Firefighters in Fort Kent battled a pair of fires Friday, one of which left a family homeless.
Crews were called to a two-story home at 267 Frenchville Road in Fort Kent shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, and arrived to find the house and attached garage “fully involved” with flame, Fort Kent fire Chief Edward Endee said Saturday.
Donald and Carol Levesque, who owned the home, were watching their granddaughter when the fire broke out, but all three managed to get out safely, according to Endee.
“The building is standing, but completely gutted,” Endee said.
Endee said a pair of cats may have been inside the home and may not have escaped the fire.
Fire crews from Eagle Lake and St. Francis covered Fort Kent’s station while 24 local firefighters fought the blaze, Endee said. There were no injuries.
The American Red Cross was contacted and the family is receiving help, according to the chief, who said he wasn’t sure whether the home was insured. The Levesques are staying with family.
The state fire marshal’s office is investigating and will return to the house Monday to try to determine the cause of the blaze.
Earlier that day, shortly before 10 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a hair salon at 151 West Main St. in Fort Kent, where they found a fire in one of the walls. The fire was quelled quickly, saving the shop and apartments in the floor above. Damage was contained to one wall, and there were no injuries.
Endee said it appears an electrical problem caused the fire.
The damage has been repaired and the salon is open for business, he added.
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