Auburn – A Sunday afternoon house fire at 21 Kilsyth St. left a family homeless and two firefighters being treated for heat exhaustion.

The firefighters, one from Lewiston and the other from Auburn, were taken to a Lewiston hospital, treated for the heat-related condition, which included chest pains, according to Platoon Chief Richard McFadden Jr., and then discharged.

He identified the men as Auburn fire Lt. Dave McKenney and Lewiston firefighter Jerry Lamiette.

Nathan and Angie Merrill and their 18-month-old daughter managed to escape from their two-unit Kilsyth Street building after discovering the fire around 1 p.m. The couple was able to save their two dogs as they fled the house.

The Merrills discovered the fire at the back porch area of the home. That’s where the fire appears to have started, said Auburn Fire Prevention Officer Gary Simard Sunday evening. Once safely outside, the young couple called for neighbors to call 911.

Simard said the second floor of the building, which had recently been renovated, was vacant at the time of the fire.

“Auburn Engine 2 was first at the scene,” he said. “Their fire house is nearby on South Main Street, so they were here within three minutes of the call.”

The back of the building was heavily involved when firefighters arrived. Simard said the fire may have been burning for quite a while before the family discovered it.

“The wind was blowing away from the house, causing any smoke to blow toward the backyard and away from the neighborhood,” Simard noted.

Cedar shingles and dry wood were blamed for the speed at which the flames spread, Simard said.

Three Auburn engines responded, along with trucks from Lewiston, Mechanic Falls and Durham. Greene Fire Department filled in at Auburn’s Central Station to handle any other calls. Simard said the departments did a good job of working together to douse the blaze.

“It’s important to have enough firefighters on the scene to relieve the ones who were first on the scene,” he acknowledged.

Water used to fight the flames was coming from a reservoir tank just a block away. There was a lack of water pressure coming through the hoses as a result, because, Simard said, the reservoir tank is on the same level as the hydrant. Even so, he said that had little effect on the efforts to put out the fire.

By 5 p.m., the fire was under control and firefighters were in what Simard called the “over-hauling phase.”

“Basically, our men are checking for hot spots and smoldering (areas) within the building,” he explained. “Also, they’re retrieving any valuables that can be salvaged.”

Simard said the family was fortunate in the way that firefighters were able to save many priceless family photos from the front rooms of the burning building. Photos formed a blanket over the lawn of the home after firefighters retrieved them and they were spread out to dry.

A few articles of clothing, a computer and Nathan Merrill’s guns were also salvaged from the fire, Simard said.

The house, on the other hand, could not be saved.

“The frame is still standing, but as a whole, the house is totaled,” Simard said. “Fortunately, the homeowners are insured.”

The two-story home, located in a quiet neighborhood off South Main Street, hasn’t left the hands of the Merrill family since it was built, according to Simard. Nathan Merrill’s grandfather constructed the building 80 years ago.

The Merrill family planned on staying with family Sunday night. The Red Cross was assisting them with money for food and clothing.

Simard said firefighters would secure the building Sunday night and conduct their investigation on Monday. The State Fire Marshal has been called in to assist with the investigation.