WALDOBORO, Maine — A fire heavily damaged a couple’s home Monday afternoon and claimed the life of one of their dogs.
A call shortly before 4 p.m. to the Waldoboro Fire Department indicated there was a mattress on fire at Irville and Marlene Luce’s home on the Washington Road.
Upon arrival, Fire Chief Paul Smeltzer observed heavy smoke coming from the residence and called for mutual aid, with firefighters from Friendship, Warren and Union responding.
The two residents of the home had gotten out safely. Two of the couple’s three dogs also made it out safely, but one dog was lost in the fire.
Smeltzer said Monday night the fire extended through an open door and void spaces into the second floor. The chief said he ended up calling for additional mutual aid from Washington and Thomaston to get more firefighters to the scene.
Smeltzer said falling snow and poor road conditions because of the weather also slowed response times. Crews worked for several hours extinguishing the fire and overhauling the scene before clearing at 7:55 p.m., he said.
There was heavy fire damage to the home as well as damage from heat, smoke and water. The home is assessed by the town at $129,000.
Investigators from the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire, the chief said. Members of the Waldoboro police department, emergency medical services and public works also assisted at the scene.