FARMINGTON — Fire of undetermined origin gutted a two-story home at 358 New Vineyard Road on Thursday, Farmington Fire and Rescue Chief Terry Bell said. 

The house is owned by Ronald and Cheri Jalbert, who were not there at the time. Some cats and dog are missing, officials said at the scene.

“People passing by discovered the fire and called it in,” Bell said. It was reported just after 11:30 a.m.

Large clouds of smoke could be seen in Fairbanks village.

Bell said the lack of manpower and the distance to haul water made extinguishing the fire more difficult. Trucks hauled water from a hydrant in front of the Fairbanks Meetinghouse and used a 6-inch hose to get water to the house, which Bell said was 600 to 700 feet from the road.

“The fire pretty much gutted the home,” Bell said. He said some items were salvageable.

Bell said the Jalberts have family in the area and the Red Cross was on the scene. He wasn’t sure where the couple would be staying.

He didn’t have an estimate of the damages, but said the Jalberts have insurance. 

The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.

Squads from Farmington, Wilton, Jay, Industry, New Vineyard, Chesterville, Temple, Strong and New Sharon responded to the fire. A NorthStar ambulance and Farmington police were also on site.

The house is next to BHD Enterprises.

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