HOULTON, Maine — Firefighters from three departments were called to a North Street property Thursday evening for a report of a chimney fire.
Firefighters were called to the 869 North Street farmhouse owned by Jessica York for a chimney fire at 8:10 p.m., Zach Batchelder of the Houlton Fire Department said. That call turned into a report of a structure fire as the flames had spread to the roof area of the home.
The Littleton Fire Department was the first to reach the property, but since the property is technically located in Houlton, the Houlton Fire Department was also notified. The Monticello Fire Department also responded.
Batchelder said when Houlton firefighters arrived, they discovered heavy smoke and flames in the attic of the farmhouse. York no longer resides at the home, but the farm is still used for part of her horse business.
The building received heavy smoke and water damage, Batchelder said. According to the town of Houlton’s online property tax maps, the farmhouse was built in 1880.
Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire and cleared the scene at 11:20 p.m. A portion of U.S. Route 1/North Street was closed to traffic for a short time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
