SOUTH THOMASTON, Maine — A 20-year-old man was injured and a large house was destroyed by flames Thursday evening despite the efforts of firefighters from around Knox County.
A nearby child care center was evacuated as a precaution as heavy smoke filled the air.
Flames were shooting out of windows at the 34 Field St. building when the fire was called in about 4 p.m. The lower level included a garage.
South Thomaston Fire Chief Bryan Calderwood said the fire started from cooking. He said a man was taken to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport by a private vehicle about 20 minutes before the fire was reported.
The man, whose name was not being released, suffered burns and later was flown by a LifeFlight helicopter to a Portland hospital, the chief said. Calderwood said he does not know who called in the fire and did not know why there was a delay in the fire being reported.
Children from Little Learners Childcare were evacuated and taken to the nearby Wessaweskeag Historical Society building where parents could pick them up, according to police.
Fire crews from South Thomaston, Thomaston, Owls Head, St. George, Cushing, Warren and Rockland battled the fire. Rockland and South Thomaston emergency medical staff were also at the scene.
The house, which was built in 1998, is owned by Donald Barter of Jefferson, according to the town’s assessment records.
The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office was at the scene to investigate the fire, he said.