FARMINGTON —  An addition to an older home on Currier Road was gutted Sunday night by a fire that started in the wall behind the clothes dryer.

Aaron Meader attempted to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher and then told his wife to get their 2½-year-old daughter, the dog and cats out, his wife, Jody Meader, said Sunday night.

Currier Road is a short street off Route 4. The Meader house is just south of the Fairbanks Union Church.

The second floor of the main portion of the home was also extensively damaged, Farmington Fire Chief Terry Bell said Monday. The Fire Department estimates damage at around $120,000. The home was insured.

The Meaders were working to restore and renovate the home, Jody Meader said Sunday night. Her parents, Cindy and Kevin Madore, attempted to comfort her as she remembered the photos of her young daughter still in the house and the two fish that she couldn’t save.

Members of Farmington Fire and Rescue, along with mutual aid from surrounding towns, were called out at 8:17 p.m., Bell said. Seventy-three firefighters arrived at the scene where high flames shot from both floors of the. Responding fire departments included New Vineyard, Temple, Wilton, Strong, Industry and Jay.

Firefighters had little trouble fighting the fire. A hydrant was nearby, Bell said. Farmington firefighters stayed at the scene until 11:30 p.m., he said.

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