PERU – Fifty firefighters from five departments fought a stubborn trailer fire on Saturday afternoon at 170 Valley Road that left a family of four homeless.
There were no injuries, but two kittens perished, a cat was missing, and a passer-by rescued a family dog, Peru fire Assistant Chief Timothy Holland said at the scene.
Richard and Heather Finnegan and their two children, a 10-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl, were not at home when fire broke out.
The 5-month-old kittens were the children’s pets, Heather’s aunt, Cindy Jasud said at the scene.
Holland said that at about 3:30 p.m., a anonymous passerby spotted the fire, called 911 and rescued the dog.
When Holland arrived with Peru firefighters, he said flames were going through the roof in a closet between two bedrooms.
A mutual-aid response brought firefighters and tanker trucks from Canton, Dixfield, Mexico and Rumford. A Med-Care Ambulance crew also responded.
Holland said the fire began underneath the light blue trailer in a crawl space, and was believed to be of electrical origin.
Dense smoke billowed out of the trailer, repeatedly enveloping teams of firefighters equipped with masks and air packs, as they waited to spell teams inside.
At 4:11 p.m., Heather Finnegan arrived and broke down, overcome with emotion. Another woman holding her up, then led her away, up the street, where she collapsed. Consoling neighbors knelt around her, while others watched from the street.
While smoke continued to pour out of the building, firefighters brought out photo collages and other personal belongings that were apparently untouched by the fire.
By 4:40 p.m., the fire appeared to be out. Holland estimated damages to the uninsured hom, including contents, at $50,000. Jasud said Heather Finnegan had just bought a new computer and new bedroom sets for the children.
The displaced family, which lost everything, will be staying at Jasud’s home, just up the road.
Holland said the United Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross in Lewiston had been contacted, and was making arrangements to help the family.
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