NEW VINEYARD — The cause of a fire that destroyed the home of Roger and Doreen Merrill late Monday night is undetermined, Fire Chief Douglas Churchill said.

The fire, reported about midnight, is believed to have started in the area of the wood stove, he said. The two-story home at 9 Sunset View is a total loss. A State Fire Marshal’s Office investigator was at the scene Tuesday morning but the cause could not be determined, he said.

Doreen Merrill was asleep when smoke detectors woke her up. Her husband was working at the time. She was able to get the couple’s three dogs safely out of the home with her, Churchill  said.

The couple is staying with family members and the Red Cross was called to help them, he said. The home is covered by insurance.

About 45 firefighters, including those from Strong, New Portland, Farmington, Kingfield and North Anson, helped the New Vineyard department fight the fire. They shuttled water a couple of miles to the home, he said.

Churchill, a neighbor to the Merrills, said as soon as the department was called  out he could see a glow in the sky. The structure was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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