Fire destroys Washburn home
WASHBURN, Maine — A Memorial Day fire destroyed a vacant home on the Parsons Road.
“A passerby notified the Washburn Fire Department of the blaze around 10:14 a.m. on Monday, May 25. A crew of approximately 15 firefighters responded to scene,” said Chief Nate Allen, of the WFD.
The vacant house, located about a mile from the Washburn bridge intersection, is owned by Rachael and Billy McDivitt, of Presque Isle.
According to the owners, the property was insured.
“We were in the process of renovating the home. Fortunately, we weren’t there when the fire occurred,” said Rachael McDivitt.
Allen said no injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
“We were able to save a nearby three-car garage,” said Allen, noting the holiday was a busy time for area firefighters. “In addition to this fire, Caribou’s crew was handling a grass fire at the same time, with mutual aid from surrounding communities. We had mutual aid in Washburn from Mapleton Fire Department and Crown Ambulance.”
“Volunteer numbers are on the decline; we were fortunate to have enough firefighters respond to put the fire out before it could spread to nearby vegetation,” said Allen.
Allen said the road was shut down temporarily.
“The fire was close to the road. We didn’t want it to spread to brush across the road, so we closed that section down for safety,” said Allen.
According to Allen, the firefighters cleared the scene around 5:30 p.m.
“Ed Archer, of the Fire Marshal’s Office, was contacted and responded. The cause is unknown at this time and the case remains under investigation. The home is a total loss,” said Allen.
“Due to the extent of damage, the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time,” said Sgt. Tim York, of the Fire Marshal’s Office, at presstime.
