A Saturday night fire destroyed a Limestone home and displaced a family of three.
Amy Hartley and sons Damian and Blayne suffered burns and smoke inhalation in the blaze, Limestone Fire Chief Jon Poitras said in a release.
It’s the latest in a spate of fires that have affected Aroostook County residents in the last week or so. Community members from Limestone to Presque Isle are already rallying to help the family.
“We’re a small community, but Aroostook County strong. That’s what we do here,” said Janice Richter, administrative assistant at Presque Isle Public Works, where Hartley’s older son, Damian, is employed.
Most of the region’s recent fires have been attributed to electrical or heating elements, according to fire officials, but the state fire marshal’s office is investigating one in Fort Fairfield as well as this most recent blaze.
Maine Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss did not immediately return a request for comment.
Fire officials were called to the blaze at 65 High St. at 8:21 p.m., Poitras said in the release. When they arrived, the home was fully engulfed.
Nine firefighters from the Limestone Volunteer Fire Department and six from Caribou Fire & Ambulance battled the blaze, the chief said.
The home’s construction, with several roof layers, made searching for hot spots difficult, he said. The building is a total loss due to extensive fire and water damage.
The occupants were taken to Cary Medical Center by ambulance and private vehicle for treatment.
“The cause is currently unknown and was turned over to the fire marshal’s office for investigation,” Poitras said. “Fire crews cleared the scene at 12:53 a.m.”
When news of the fire made the rounds, community members started organizing to help the family, from municipal staff to volunteers.
In less than 24 hours, about 20 volunteers had banded together to arrange a benefit dinner, said Marissa Keiser, a social worker at Limestone Community School.
The fundraiser will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, at the school. Community members and the Limestone Town Office are also accepting donations, she said.
“We’re getting a lot of community donations,” Keiser said. “Everyone is definitely rallying together to support this family. It’s incredibly sad, and we just want to make sure this family has something for Christmas.”
News of the dinner was posted on social media last night and so far, more than 100 people have said they’re coming, Keiser said, including members of Presque Isle city leadership and the Presque Isle Fire Department.
Hartley’s younger son, Blayne, just had a birthday and lost all his gifts, she said. School staff are donating to replace some of his favorite items.
Damian is an employee with Presque Isle Public Works. He is currently being treated for third-degree burns at a Portland-area hospital, Keiser and Richter said. They did not disclose the hospital’s name to protect the family’s privacy.
Richter said department staff have galvanized to contribute in a big way.
“He’s one of our truck and snowplow drivers. He has the biggest heart,” she said. “Obviously, he is unable to work. We have employees that have accumulated sick time and they are donating that to Damian.”
Public works staff are collecting donations to provide the family’s immediate needs, Richter said. Damian faces a long recovery time, so their plan is to wait until he improves and the family knows more about what they’ll need.
Meanwhile, Teamsters Local 340 members are helping out as well, she said. Based in South Portland, the union is aiding the family with transportation since Hartley doesn’t have a vehicle with her.
In Caribou, Bennett Drive Redemption and Sweden Street Redemption are donating proceeds from bottle and can returns to the family. Richter has also started a GoFundMe campaign.
Limestone may be small, but it’s mighty, because everyone comes together when families need it most, Keiser said.
“As a resident of Limestone, I’m extremely proud to say the community has people’s backs,” she said. “We’re just hoping the mom feels that support, as well.”