Fire crews from Peru, Jay and surrounding areas kept busy early Sunday morning as two separate structure fires led to firefighters from eight departments rolling out around dawn.

The first call came in at 5:19 a.m., when members of the Peru Fire Department responded to downtown house fire at 13 North Main St. Fire Chief William Hussey said investigators believe the blaze started near the refrigerator and quickly spread to the attic. Homeowners Jack and Julie Corliss escaped the blaze unharmed along with their pet dog Wimpy.

“It took about an hour to get it knocked down,” Hussey said of the blaze. “The fire started in the center of the house and had spread to all four rooms and the upstairs.”

Hussey said that about 45 firefighters from Peru, Mexico, Dixfield, Rumford and Canton responded to the early morning call. Police crews from Mexico and Dixfield closed the road to traffic.

The home was located next door to Blaisdell’s Variety on Main Street. Hussey said firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the home, but added that the structure is considered a complete loss. Damages are estimated at between $70,000 and $80,000.

While fire crews in Peru battled the massive house fire, members of the Jay Fire Rescue responded to another early morning call at an apartment building located at 235 Intervale Road. Deputy fire Chief Jim Shink said the 6:38 a.m. fire was contained to a second-floor outside porch of the five-unit building.

Investigators believe the blaze was the result of a tenant improperly discarding a cigarette. The tenant – whose name was not available Sunday – told firefighters that he had smoked a cigarette on the porch at about 3 a.m. and awoke to the sound of a smoke alarm in his apartment. The man suffered minor burns to his legs and feet after trying to extinguish the fire.

All residents evacuated the building. The fire was under control in minutes and damage was contained to the outside of the building and a broken window.