MECHANIC FALLS — A Mechanic Falls man and his son lost their Route 121 home in a wind-driven fire of undetermined origin Monday afternoon.
Lou Goulet and his son were not home when the blaze was reported at 1:30 p.m. by a passer-by, Mechanic Falls Fire Department Deputy Chief Matt Fifield said.
He estimated the loss at about $150,000 and said Goulet had no insurance on the 2-story wood-framed house. The American Red Cross was finding accommodations for the family for the night, he said.
“Yeah, it's an unfortunate situation,” Fifield said.
About two dozen firefighters from five departments responded to the scene, which was across Route 121 from the intersection with Spring Street.
Fifield said his department was on a call in Poland when the fire broke. After getting to the scene, they were joined by firefighters from Poland, Oxford, Minot and Auburn.
Chief Mark Bosse of Poland Fire and Rescue said flames were shooting from the back of the building when his crew arrived.
High winds made fighting the fire difficult. Flames quickly spread throughout the building and flared up even after that section of the house was doused.
A Mechanic Falls tower truck was shooting a stream from its water cannon. Fifield confirmed that two hydrants were utilized and that ample water and manpower just were not enough enough against the wind-driven flames.
An investigator from the Fire Marshal's Office arrived just after 2 p.m., worked well into the evening and will return Tuesday to continue the search for a cause.
A portion of Route 121, which is also Pleasant Street, was shut down to accommodate the firefighting equipment.
Flames consume the 2-story home of Lou Goulet and his son Monday afternoon on Route 121 in Mechanic Falls. No one was home at the time and a cause has not been determined.
Flames shoot from the home of Lou Goulet and his son on Route 121 in Mechanic Falls on Monday afternoon. The State Fire Marshal's Office is expected to return to the scene Tuesday to try to determine the cause. The house was not insured, a fire official said.
Firefighters from five towns battled wind-driven flames at the home of Lou Goulet and his son on Route 121 in Mechanic Falls on Monday afternoon. No one was home at the time. The house was a total loss, a fire official said.
Report a correction
Fire on Pleasant St.
Sad to see this home gone, I was in route home from Oxford when we had to turn around and go, via the lane road. This older home was always an interesting part of that area, sitting up on the small hill on the right going towards Oxford, this old home had its own charm, and will be sadly missed. Sad for the owners without any insurance, I hope that the public will take notice of this and help out. To the owners I send prayers.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.