Fire and rescue crews from six communities responded Sunday evening to a structure fire at 15 Lindsey Lane in West Gardiner. No one was injured in the blaze, believed to have originated in a wood stove, officials say. Courtesy of West Gardiner Volunteer Fire Department
WEST GARDINER — Officials said Monday they believe a wood stove caused a fire Sunday night that damaged a Lindsey Lane home, displacing the family that was renting the dwelling.
Members of the family and their two dogs escaped uninjured, according to Chief Mike Dovinsky of the West Gardiner Volunteer Fire Department.
Local fire officials said the blaze at 15 Lindsey Lane originated in the basement of the single-story house.
The fire’s cause remained under investigation Monday by the Office of State Fire Marshal.
The family called 911 to report the fire at about 6:45 p.m. Sunday, and firefighters were at the scene until about8:45 p.m.
When firefighters from West Gardiner arrived, flames were visible from the front corner eaves of the wood frame house and smoke had spread to the first floor, officials said. The residents had exited the home and were attempting to find their dogs outside.
Dovinsky said as people look for alternative ways to heat homes, they must make sure fireplaces and woodstoves are inspected by professionals before being used. He said this is essential, especially if a fireplace or woodstove has not been used in years.
“Rule number one is to get the chimney checked to make sure it’s in good working order,” he said. “Rule number two is to make sure the stove pipe that comes off the stove to the chimney is in good shape, cleared and has no holes. And make sure it’s the correct size and that the stove is the correct distance away from the wall.”
Fire and rescue crews from Gardiner, Farmingdale, Litchfield, Pittston and Randolph assisted West Gardiner firefighters in battling the flames.
Officials from West Gardiner said the town’s all-volunteer Fire Department relies on mutual aid from the surrounding towns “to be effective.”
“Luckily, our surrounding departments are absolute professionals,” West Gardiner fire officials wrote in a Facebook post. “We deeply appreciate their assistance and the sacrifice and dedication of our members.”
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