LIVERMORE FALLS – Firefighters’ quick response saved a house at 23 Richardson Ave. from being destroyed in a “suspicious” fire Sunday.
Three state fire investigators were still at the Livermore Falls Fire Station at 9 p.m. to help with the ongoing investigation at the vacant 2-story home, said Livermore Falls Fire Chief Ken Jones on Sunday night.
“At this point it is a suspicious fire and the investigation is ongoing,” Jones said.
Jones had called out commands to firefighters from the driveway of the home and street, still in his dress blue uniform, after he and many other firefighters from Livermore Falls, Jay and Livermore responded from a 9/11 anniversary service in downtown Livermore Falls. Fayette firefighters stood by at the Livermore Falls station.
The service recognized firefighters, police and emergency medical service personnel as well as veterans and those on active duty in the military.
Jones said the first firefighter arrived on the scene before the fire was broadcast to firefighters over the emergency radio system.
The firefighter reported fire showing in a first-floor room and light smoke throughout the building, Jones said. The fire was reported at 6:18 p.m.
Firefighters hurried into their gear. A crowd continued to gather on Richardson Avenue, located off Main Street between Rite Aid and Food City.
The sound of glass breaking could be heard from the street as firefighters opened windows that they could open and had to break others in order to vent the house.
The illumination of a flashlight could be seen through the windows as firefighters looked around the second floor.
The fire was contained to the dining room of the home believed to be owned by Charlene Newcomb, Jones said. The floor and furniture in that room were damaged by fire while the rest of the home had smoke and heat damage, he said.
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