AUBURN – Firefighters were forced to retreat from a Wednesday night blaze that roared through a Summer Street home, leveling the two-story cape-style house in less than an hour.

Nobody was home when flames began tearing through the 200-year-old house and garage at about 6 p.m.

Firefighters who first tried attacking the blaze had to back off when flames engulfed both buildings before they could get a water supply to the scene. The firefighters were ordered to get out of the burning house and return to their trucks while crews worked to get water from a hydrant a mile away.

“It was pretty aggressive and they had to back off,” said Fire Chief Wayne Werts.

The fast moving flames at 949 Summer St. were whipped by winds, quickly spreading from a porch to the attached garage. An orange glow and thick smoke were visible more than a mile away on Lake Street and surrounding areas.

The house is roughly a quarter mile from Farmer Whiting’s, between Gracelawn and West Auburn roads.

“When I got here the flames were shooting through the roof,” said police Sgt. Tim Cougle. “Two minutes later, it was fully involved.”

Fire crews from Lewiston, Minot and Turner were quickly called to the scene to assist. Auburn fire crews began running hoses to the nearest hydrant at Summer Street and Gracelawn Road.

Working in a downpour, firefighters attempted to keep the flames from spreading beyond the property.

Parts of the second floor came crashing down just minutes into the firefighting effort. Portions of the roof collapsed shortly after.

Central Maine Power Co. was called to the scene, but before they arrived, wires stretching from the house to a pole across the street sagged down onto a firetruck. “Stay away from that truck,” a platoon chief hollered to his crew.

Soon, bright, blue sparks began popping at the front of the house where the wires became detached. CMP shut the power minutes later.

While the blaze was being fought, fire officials were trying to determine who owns the house. The yard wasn’t plowed from the recent storm, but Christmas decorations had been hung from the garage.

Built in 1800

The house, built in 1800, had been occupied by chiropractor Michael Cyr until he recently sold it to a family from New Jersey.

“It’s been close to two years since we moved out,” Cyr said Wednesday night, after learning that his former home was burning. “It’s a great house. We lived there for 16 years. Our kids grew up there.”

While firefighters struggled to control the fire, two dogs prowled the yard next to the house. It wasn’t known if they belonged to the occupants or if they had come from a neighboring home.

Playground equipment in back of the house was partially melted from the heat of the spectacular blaze.

By 6:40 p.m., all that remained of the house was the frame of the building, which was reduced to glowing embers. Those came crashing down before 7 p.m. and the roof of the garage caved in minutes later.

Fire Prevention Officer Lt. Gary Simard, who investigates all fires of unknown origin, arrived at the scene while the blaze was still ripping through the home. Officials from the State Fire Marshal’s Office were also notified.

Officials said the cost of the home, estimated at more than a quarter million dollars, and the speed of the fire prompted them to call for help from the fire marshals.

Chief Werts said an investigation into the cause of the blaze would begin immediately after the fire was brought under control.

“With this much damage, it will certainly be difficult,” Werts said.

A Salvation Army relief crew arrived at the scene about 7 p.m. to provide food and warm drinks to firefighters.

Police kept traffic blocked at several intersections, including Park and Lake avenues, and Summer Street and Gracelawn Road.

Two hours after the fire was reported, the blaze was under control. Firefighters were expected to remain on scene late into the night, putting out hot spots and preparing for an investigation.

The house and garage were considered a total loss. According to the city of Auburn Geographic Information System, the house and land are valued at more than $200,000 each. A recent ERA Worden Realty advertisement listed the price at $390,000.

Cyr, who moved into the house in the mid-1980s, said he was called by a fire investigator attempting to learn who owned the building. That’s how he learned his former home was on fire.

“It’s a strange feeling,” Cyr said.

mlaflamme@sunjournal.com

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