SABATTUS — A quick response from firefighters Wednesday is credited with saving a home on Beaver Road that went up in flames at about noon.

The two per-diem firefighters who were on duty Wednesday afternoon were en route to the fire scene within 45 seconds of the call coming in, according to Sabattus fire officials. They were at the scene in eight minutes, and were joined by two off-duty firefighters along with a tanker truck.

When police and firefighters arrived at 41 Beaver Road, off Bowdoinham Road, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from a second-story apartment, above a garage, officials said.

Sabattus crews were ultimately joined by firefighters from Wales, Lisbon, Lewiston, Bowdoin and Greene.

Crews entered the burning home and quickly knocked down the flames, officials said. The apartment and contents were destroyed, but the structure was considered repairable.

The lone resident was burned out of his home, fire officials said, but was not hurt in the blaze. His name was not available Wednesday night.

The cause of the fire was being investigated.

Sabattus Fire Chief Marc A. Veilleux wrote on Facebook that on days when the department has a per-diem firefighter, there is only one on duty. He had scheduled two for Wednesday because of the nasty weather.

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