Staff Writer
Firefighters with the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department spent a busy Easter weekend, responding to two separate fires. At 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 4, a call came into the CFD alerting firefighters of a trailer fire on Route 89 (557 Access Highway, Lot 10B).
Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods stated, “The owner of the trailer (Christine Berube) for whatever reason, woke up, finding her trailer completely filled with smoke — she was extremely lucky— although there were smoke alarms in each of the rooms — none of them had batteries.” Woods said the fire was caused by a furnace malfunction (possibly due to the motor burning up).
Chief Woods said the trailer received smoke and water damage, estimating the loss at $3,000, including the loss of the furnace. Berube did not have insurance on the trailer.
Three units and 20 firefighter personnel were at the scene. Chief Woods stated there were no injuries.
Woodland
Later in the afternoon on Easter Sunday, firefighters responded to a 2:49 p.m. blaze at 308 Thibodeau Road in Woodland. Upon arrival at the scene they found the two-story home, owned by Romeo Bouchard, to be fully involved with the fire having traveled well into the attic of the structure.
Firefighters battled the Woodland blaze for five hours, using 25,000 gallons of water. Mutual aid was provided on site by the Washburn Fire Department, while members of the Presque Isle Fire Department covered the Caribou station. Chief Woods stated the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring.
Bouchard, his wife and the couple’s two dogs were able to escape unharmed and there were no other injuries reported. Chief Woods said the two-story home, which was a total loss, was not insured but the contents were covered.
