LISBON — Only hours after a house fire killed Natalie and Kelsey Hogan, a back room of Alma-Lea Pace Coffren’s Mid Town Plaza dance studio began to fill Friday with boxes, bags and totes for the girls’ family.

The collection began with zero planning.

“The studio is open for whatever,” Pace Coffren said. “It just ended up being here.”

On Monday morning, plastic totes overflowed with clothes for Lorna Hogan, the mom who was burned trying to rescue her girls, ages 11 and 6,  from the Friday morning fire. There were also clothes for the rest of the family, including four children from 1 to 16 years old.

“We all wanted to do what we could for the family,” said Sybill Brewer, who spent part of Monday sorting through donations in an effort to make it easier for the family when they need the items.

The family is still in the beginning stages of coping with the tragedy.

The fire started as a result of a torch that was used Thursday night on a plugged drain in the second floor bathroom, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The bathroom was located near the girls’ bedroom.

Inspectors ruled out an earlier theory that the fire started in an electrical junction box.

The only smoke detector in the home had no battery, Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland said. Three other children were also on the second floor but managed to escape. 

The first people on the scene were from a SAD 75 bus out of Topsham. 

“We weren’t supposed to be that early,” driver Kimberly Hathaway said. As she passed the home at 34 Summer St., she and bus aide Susie Schwaab thought the plume of smoke was coming from the chimney. A moment later, she realized the house was on fire and she pulled over. Schwaab jumped out to help while Hathaway radioed her garage in Topsham. A dispatcher there made the first 911 call for help.

When Schwaab reached the house, Lorna Hogan led her children out and handed Schwaab her baby. While Hogan tried to save the girls, the other four children were taken to the bus where it was warm.

“I held the baby for an hour and a half, wrapped in my sweater,” Hathaway said.

Lorna Hogan was treated at Central Maine Medical Center for smoke inhalation and burns and released on Sunday.

The home was destroyed in the morning fire.

Pace Coffren knew 11-year-old Natalie, because the girl had been a ballet student for the past year or so. However, she said she would have helped out, whether or not she knew the family.

Though the community is too big for everyone to know each other, there is a sense of watching out for one’s neighbors that seems particularly strong here, Brewer said.

She has scheduled a bottle drive to help the Hogan family. It’s set for Saturday at Lisbon High School with athletes from the school. People can bring their bottles and also make a cash donation or leave a gift card. The drive is from 9 to 11 a.m.

People may give to the family at any area branch of TD Bank, where a Hogan family fund has been set up. 

If someone wishes to inquire about making a donation of clothing or other items, they may reach Brewer via e-mail at [email protected].

Brewer and Pace Coffren have been in touch with the family through a mutual friend and they are trying to make sure their needs are met.

“They’re letting us know what they need and when they need it,” Pace Coffren said. 

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