TURNER — A camper went up in flames Wednesday afternoon on Snell Hill Road, and witnesses reported it was set by a young woman who fled the scene.

The first crews were responded about 3 p.m. when a caller reported a structure fire at 87 Snell Hill Road. A two-story home and detached garage sit on the property, but it was an RV that was burning, witnesses said.

Flames were starting to singe the house when fire crews knocked the down the flames. The first crews faced a chaotic scene.

“The arrival was a pain,” Turner Deputy Fire Chief Nicholas Merry said. “There were people running around and it took a lot convincing them to back off.”

Once the scene was under control, crews were able to operate smoothly, he said.

By 3:30 p.m., the fire was declared under control and the people known to live on the property were accounted for.

Fire officials were investigating the cause of the blaze along with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office.

Witnesses said it appeared the young woman started the fire and then fled on foot, saying somebody was after her. Police later located her at a nearby home and she was being questioned.

The owner of the property said he had been letting a male friend stay in the camper. He saw the young woman enter the RV on Wednesday afternoon and shortly after, it was up in flames.

Assisting Turner Fire Rescue were departments from Minot, Leeds and Buckfield. Jay and Greene fire departments provided station coverage.

As of 6:30 p.m. three investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal were assessing the smoldering RV, Merry said.

The property where the fire occurred is near the town dump and a short distance from Hannaford on state Route 4.

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