Nick Chapman lost his home, four dogs and two cats on Chapman Hill. His family of five was not at home when the fire started on Friday night. Rose Lincoln
BETHEL — Nick Chapman’s mother and father, Macky and Howard (Mimi and Papa to his children) and his aunt Mary Ellen Chapman and Earl Tyler live just up the hill on Chapman Hill off the North Road.
When the Chapman’s house at number 74 caught on fire Friday evening, the two women and Tyler ran to the house to try to save the animals.
“It went so fast,” said Nick Chapman.
His family of five, wife Tasha, and children: Keaton, 17, Emma, 14, and Vince, 13, were not at home when the fire broke out at 5:30 p.m. But the family’s four dogs, Gunner, Mollie Mae, Danica, Yager and two cats, Hermes and Mario all perished in the blaze.
One of the dogs was adopted after Chapman’s mother-in-law passed away. He was Keaton’s dog. “They were all our family,” said Chapman. Two of the dogs traveled with Chapman in his truck and he feels the loss acutely when he is driving. “That’s what hurts the most. They always wanted to be with me. That I couldn’t save them, that’s what hurts the most.”
Chapman was heading to Rumford when his parents called. When he turned around he was at Bear River, “I could see the black smoke billowing … It just filled my heart with pain and I knew what it was,” he said.
The one-story double-wide on a full foundation was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The first fire crews on scene reported heavy smoke and flames. Additional manpower was requested from several towns, including Newry, Greenwood and Woodstock.
The fire was reported under control about 6:15 p.m., but firefighters stayed until 9 p.m. spraying hot spots to save the foundation.
While they do not know definitively, Chapman said he was told that probably some mice chewed through wires in the attic and that is how the fire started.
“Randall Grondin, a very good friend of mine,” said Chapman, “was on Swan Hill and he called me crying. “‘I couldn’t get to it. I’m over here, feeling helpless on Swan Hill’ [he said]. He’s the fire chief for Gilead and he said, ‘I couldn’t do anything.'”
Chapman built the house on the site where his grandparents house had stood since the 1700’s.
“It’s tough to see all your family’s memories and everything that meant everything. [There is] nothing you can grab and say at least we have this. Cause it’s all gone,” he said.
Many people and businesses have stepped forward to help the family.
Roxy Kai and West Paris Provisions at 253 Bethel Road in West Paris are accepting clothes, furniture and money. The Bethel Shop ‘n Save at 72 Main Street, in Bethel has donation tubs at every register. The Aubuchon Hardware in Rumford is accepting donations, too.
Maine Ski Dome short term rental company who has offered to help set up temporary housing for the family. Lloyd Sweetser from Northeast Bank in Bethel has set up an an account fund. Saco Bay Physical Therapy in Bethel is collecting donations and the Modern Barn is collecting gift cards from local businesses.
John Walker, Chapman’s cousin gave the family a free night at The Best Western in Rumford. “To know we had a place to sleep that night. That was a life saver.”
LeMu Eats in Bethel has a tab open for the family.
Caitelynn Savage, Chapman’s friend’s daughter, set up a GoFundMe account which had grown to $40,381 as of March 6. A man who donated wrote that he remembered the Chapmans helping them after an accident.
Kendrick Thibodeau, of Rumford, a fellow logger, showed up with a box of clothes the next day.
A group of 20-year-old men dropped off a truckload of firewood for his parents and said they’d bring more if they need it.
Somebody paid for the cremation of the pets. “It’s things like that that puts a lump in my throat,” said Chapman.
“To see such an outpouring of love. It’s good to know our community still has it … has just been unbelievable … . People that I don’t even know. The person that’s offering us a place to stay, I’ve never met them, and they said you can stay as long as you need … it’s great to know the River Valley cares so much.
“I was hoping I was going to wake up and it was going to be a bad dream. First time I drove up the hill the next day. Every time I got to the point [on the North Road] I always looked at the house and it just wasn’t here.
“If you’ve got a place to put your head at night to sleep and you have clothes on your back and you’re able to eat. Be thankful for the little things … I wish people would do that more. Because it sure has made me do it,” said Chapman.
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