Fire officials examine the remains of a Fairfield home that was destroyed earlier in the day. Rebecca Merrifield, 56, died in the fire early Saturday morning. Glenn Clausen, 60, sustained serious injuries. Both were residents at the home. Photo courtesy of Maine Department of Public Safety

A woman died and a man was seriously injured during a structure fire on Bear Mountain Road in Fairfield early Saturday morning, according to the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal.

Investigators said Rebecca Merrifield, 56, died at the scene, while Glenn Clausen, 60, was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious injuries. Both Merrifield and Clausen were residents at the home, officials said.

Off a winding narrow dirt road in Fairfield, the house sat atop a hill overlooking a small pond. The house was 0.8 miles down the road from a gated entrance. When a reporter arrived on scene at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the Office of State Fire Marshal had its mobile unit staged on scene.

Rebecca Merrifield, 56, died in a fire in Fairfield early Saturday morning, while Glenn Clausen, 60, sustained serious injuries, according to authorities. Greg Levinsky/Morning Sentinel

An investigator said he “had no idea” how the fire started and that they would be there “all day” as light rain fell. A man with a truck labeled “animal control officer” reported to the scene and picked up what appeared to be a deceased animal before leaving.

The Fairfield Fire and Police Departments and the state fire marshal’s office initially responded to a call at 3:40 a.m. Saturday. Delta Ambulance and fire departments from Skowhegan, Oakland, Norridgewock, Waterville and Clinton provided mutual aid.

Fairfield Fire Chief Duane Bickford was not at the station and could not be reached for comment Saturday afternoon.