By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
On Sunday, March 20, firefighters from the Caribou Fire Department responded to a call received at 8:19 a.m. regarding a single-story house fire at 140 West Presque Isle Road, owned by John Locke who was at home at the time of the fire.
According to Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods, the fire started in the vent pipe of a wood-pellet boiler located in the basement of the home. “The sprinkler head installed over the boiler, was activated by the fire and the steam from that device acted to control the blaze.”
Woods stated 20 Caribou fire personnel were at the residence until 10 a.m.
A small amount of damage occurred in the wall where the vent pipe was located along with some smoke and water damage to the attic. The home did have working smoke detectors in place.
20 Caribou fire personnel were at the site until 10 a.m. There were no injuries and the property was insured.
At 6:52 p.m. firefighters were recalled to the location. “The owners had left the home at that time and due to a re-ignition spark in the attic, the fire had gotten a good start on us, resulting in major damage to the roof and trusses in the attic.
Woods stated that 20 Caribou Fire Department personnel were again at the scene getting the blaze under control and extinguishing it. Mutual aid to the Caribou station was provided by the Presque Isle and Fort Fairfield departments.
It is a Caribou city ordinance that all new structures and any home or rental property that has had a heating source replaced must have a sprinkler installed above them.
“There have been a number of individuals, including contractors who have spoken against this ordinance but the fact that this sprinkler head helped to control the initial fire is proof that these devices are extremely important.”
