CORINNA, Maine — When firefighters arrived at a home on Hilltop Drive that caught fire early Friday, they knew there was little chance of saving the home, firefighter Jim Emerson said.
“It was all aflame — fully involved,” Emerson, who drove a tanker truck to the scene to douse the flames, said.
The fire was called in at about 5:45 a.m., and the homeowner told Emerson that she lived in the home with five others.
“They got out with just the clothes they had on,” the firefighter said. “The second floor collapsed onto the first floor,” after fire crews arrived.
The American Red Cross in Maine dispatched a local Red Cross Disaster Action Response Team member to assist the family, spokesman Justin Burkhardt said in an email.
“The Red Cross will ensure the family has a safe place to sleep tonight, food and other essentials,” Burkhardt said. “Over the next several days, the Red Cross will stay in contact with the family to provide financial assistance and community referrals, as they begin their road to recovery.”
Investigators with the state fire marshal’s office arrived at the scene Friday morning as crews continued to look for hidden hot spots.
“They’re still up there putting water on it,” said Emerson, whose brother, Allen Emerson, is the fire chief.
The long driveway made fighting the fire more difficult, he said, with firefighters having to run a hose up the entire length to get water to the scene.
No injuries were reported. Crews from Dexter, Corinth, Newport, Garland and St. Albans assisted local firefighters.
The Red Cross provides food, clothing, shelter and emotional support for those affected by home fires and other disasters. Individuals wishing to support Red Cross Disaster Services can call 800-RED-CROSS or visit MaineRedCross.org.