WALDOBORO, Maine — A rekindling of an earlier fire caused further damage to a home on Saturday in Waldoboro.
Firefighters first arrived about 12:45 p.m., but they were called back shortly after the scene was cleared at about 3:30 p.m.
No injuries were reported as a result of either incident.
According to Waldoboro Fire Chief Paul Smeltzer, the home at 84 Broad Cove West, a dirt road near the end of Gross Neck Road, had heavy fire and smoke damage to the second floor.
He said the top floor of the house was likely destroyed.
Smeltzer said there was also water damage on the ground level.
He said the initial fire was extinguished after 3 p.m. and crews had used thermal imaging cameras in an effort to ensure the fire was fully out.
Smeltzer said the scene had been cleared for about five minutes when the rekindled fire was called into Lincoln County Communications.
The chief said when he returned to the scene of the rekindled blaze he could see heavy fire coming out of the building’s roof.
Smeltzer said firefighters proceeded with multiple attacks on the fire, fighting flames inside and outside the home.
The state fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the initial fire. Smeltzer said it appears to have originated in the vicinity of the chimney.
Smeltzer said the home, a two-floor log-home-style structure, had been recently purchased and the new homeowners had a small fire in the fireplace earlier in the day.
He said the homeowners were working in the yard when they saw heavy smoke, discovered the fire, and called the fire department.
Smeltzer said when he arrived there was heavy smoke showing from the exterior of the home and when he entered through a back door he saw heavy fire at the top of the stairs.
He said once fire crews arrived, the fire was quickly knocked down as two trucks attacked the blaze, but there was a lot of damage.
Smeltzer said water was set up at a staging area and hoses were run to the fire.
“It’s a long dirt road, but we train for this. All mutual aid worked well together,” Smeltzer said.
Joining the Waldoboro Fire Department at either or both responses were the Bremen, Damariscotta, Friendship, Jefferson, Nobleboro, Union, Warren, and Washington fire departments, as well as Waldoboro Emergency Medical Services and the Waldoboro Police Department.
A crew from Central Maine Power Co. also responded to the scene.