FARMINGTON – A fund for the Martin and Becky Lane family, who lost this home to fire Wednesday, has been established by the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area.

Executive Director Nancy Morgan said she has notified United Way agencies to see what can be done for the family. Lorna Nichols from the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is also working to organize help from businesses and others in the community.

The midmorning fire destroyed the farmhouse at Shady Lane Farm on Brahmer Road. Becky Lane had finished morning chores and was preparing her breakfast at 9:30 a.m. when she smelled smoke, saw her living room was full of smoke and discovered an upstairs bedroom was on fire. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.

Family members rushed to remove items from the house before firefighters arrived, but little was saved. An antique china closet, computer, some family photos and paperwork, along with some tools and a few other items, were piled outside the home while firefighters worked until late afternoon.

The house, built in the 1700s, had been remodeled and blown-in insulation caused the fire to smolder for hours, fire Chief Douglas Churchill said.

“It’s such a devastating loss for people to go through,” Morgan said. “Very few items were saved from the fire. They’ll need clothing and food now, as well as a way to rebuild a home.”

Although the American Red Cross will help some, Morgan said the Lane family will need clothing vouchers and food, and also monetary donations. Martin and Becky Lane have four children, one of whom, Amie, a high school junior, lives at home.

A fund has been established at the United Way, she said, and anyone who would like to contribute to the family can mail a check, made out to the United Way or to the Lanes, and all the money will be collected and given to the family. Mail to United Way, P.O. Box 126, Farmington, Maine 04938.

Anyone who would like to contribute nonperishable foods may bring it to the United Way office at 232 Broadway, and Morgan and Nichols will see that the family receives it, she said.

For more information on how to help the Lane family, contact Morgan at 778-5048.