AUBURN – When Roger Gauthier Jr. and Virginia Beauchesne lost their home and barns to fire last week, people wanted to help.

“It brings out the good in people,” Beauchesne said Monday.

Folks drove out to Graceland Dairy Farms on Penley Corner Road to see how they could help. Other people called the United Valley American Red Cross in Lewiston over several days, offering everything from day labor to appliances.

“It’s typical,” said Eric Lynes, emergency services director at the agency. “Whenever fire or disaster strikes, it pulls the heartstrings of people in our community.”

As usual, Lynes’ agency snapped to action.

Seven volunteers from a Disaster Action Team converged on the farm that morning. They performed a range of chores, from helping corral cattle to getting emergency basic services to the owners and a farmhand.

The three people who lived in the house were offered lodging at a nearby motel and given vouchers for food and clothing as well as follow-up services, Lynes said.