According to Deputy Fire Chief Mike Robitaille, it was determined that the fire started in the electrical wiring in the basement. It then spread up through the walls to the first floor, burning a hole through the outside wall, Robitaille said.

The fire was reported at 7:19 a.m. He noted that there was an unrelated power outage in the area about an hour before the fire was discovered.

After smelling smoke, the occupants discovered fire in the electrical panel in the basement and attempted to quell it with a fire extinguisher.

The large three-story, wood-frame, single-family house owned and occupied by Evelyn Adams was insured, Robitaille said.

A total of 31 firefighters, three engines, a ladder truck and rescue unit responded to the scene, which is located in a built-up residential section of Lisbon Falls. Durham fire Department filled in at the Lisbon Falls Station.

The blaze was brought under control within 10 minutes, Robitaille said, but firemen had to wait about a half hour for CMP to cut power to the house. They cleared the scene in about two-and-half hours after the initial report.

This is the fourth house fire in the town in the last two weeks to which Lisbon Firefighters have responded. None were considered to be of a suspicious nature.