Hampden family safe following home fire

Firefighters say smoke detectors helped alert a Hampden family to a fire in their home Tuesday night. Hampden fire officials say they were called to Patterson Street just after 10 p.m. When first responders arrived, they reported light smoke in the neighborhood. But, with no flames showing in the house, it took a few minutes for crews to locate the fire. During that time, mutual aid from surrounding towns and departments arrived. Firefighters found heavy smoke in the back of the house and soon found the source in a second floor storage room. They say within 30 minutes of the initial call, they were able to put the fire out and contain the damage to the upstairs area. Four people staying at the home made it out safely, as did their pets. The Fire Marshal’s Office is looking for the cause.
WABI-TV CBS/CW+ 5 Bangor

Did you know the first fire watch tower in the country was in Maine?

PHOTOS: Maine is full of history. Did you know that the first continually operated fire tower in the country was right here in Maine? The tower at the top of what is now known as Big Moose Mountain, then called Big Squaw Mountain, was built in 1905. Until 1976, the fire watchmen of Big Moose Mountain maintained a constant presence, watching for smoke and fires. The cab of the tower was removed by helicopter in 2011 and moved to the Moosehead Lake Region Visitors Center in Greenville, where it still stands today. Tuesday, Maine Forest Rangers shared a picture of one of the drones that is now used to help detect fires, checking out the tower. According to a report from the state and Natural Heritage Hikes, a metal tower replaced the original wooden structure in 1919.
WMTW-TV ABC 8 Poland Spring

Old Monmouth fire station moved to become new fire house museum

VIDEO: There was heavy equipment and a lot of patience Tuesday in Monmouth as an old fire station got new life. The fire station will now become a new fire house museum. Photojournalist David Hill was there as this monumental task got underway. Next to the new museum will be a 9/11 memorial park, which will include a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. The fire chief hopes the project will be completed in time for this year's September 11 remembrance.
WPFO-TV FOX 23 Waterville

Fire destroys Litchfield garage, damages nearby houses

Firefighters from four communities responded Monday to a garage fire on Kenway Drive in Litchfield that also damaged two neighboring houses. The initial report came in shortly before 1 p.m., when a caller reported smoke and flames at the garage. Deputy Chief Michael LaRoche of the Litchfield Fire Department said the garage was engulfed in flames when firefighters from Litchfield, Gardiner, Wales and West Gardiner arrived. LaRoche estimated the garage was about 20 feet from each of the adjacent buildings, both of which sustained damage to their vinyl siding. The garage was destroyed. “The cause of the fire is unknown at this time,” LaRoche said. Using a tanker relay for water, firefighters extinguished the flames in about 20 minutes, LaRoche said, and no one was injured.
Central Maine - Metered Site