SABATTUS, Maine — A family of seven lost their home after a fire swept through it early Sunday morning, the Sabattus Fire Department said in a news release posted on its Facebook Page.
Fire Chief Marc Veilleux said that the fire on Rabbit Road began about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
The homeowner is a decorated veteran and was out of state at the time of the fire participating in a national disabled military hockey event, Veilleux said.
Veilleux said that homeowner’s name is being withheld until he returns to Maine and has met with fire officials.
His wife and five children, who were home at the time of the fire, were alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm and made it out safely, however, they lost their home and all of their belongings in the fire.
Fire crews attempted to rescue the family’s dog but were not successful.
The Red Cross was called to assist the family and relief funds are being established for the family. More information will be released as it becomes available.
The home was located in a remote area with no hydrants and little access to water sources. A tanker strike team was called out and area departments brought 11 tankers to the scene.
Sabattus firefighters were assisted by their counterparts from Wales, Lisbon, Lewiston, Bowdoin, Litchfield, Monmouth, Greene, Leeds and Turner.
The state fire marshal’s office has been notified and will be in Sabattus to help determine the cause of the fire.