LIVERMORE — A fast-moving fire Friday afternoon destroyed a large two-story home on South Road.

Livermore Fire Chief Donald Castonguay said homeowner Dale Boothby and co-occupant Donnie Foster left the home to plant potatoes and looked up five to 10 minutes later, saw smoke and went running back.

“By the time we got back, the house was in flames and the wire was down and sparking,” Foster said.

Pets in the house got out safely, he said.

“I’m numb right now,” he said. 

Foster said they would stay with family in the area Friday night.

Castonguay said an investigator from the Office of the State Fire Marshal did an initial probe but had not determined a cause as of early evening.

The wood-framed, cape-style home was about 40 by 40 feet with a metal roof, he said. Based on the amount of damage, he believes the fire started in the front of the house.

Foster said it was insured.

Firefighters from Livermore, Livermore Falls, Jay, Wayne, Canton, Leeds, West Paris and Wilton responded, along with a NorthStar ambulance.

Water was hauled from a farm pond at Boothby’s Orchard on Route 108 and from a golf course on Maple Lane. Firetrucks hauled water to a dump tank set up near the driveway of the home.

Castonguay said an excavator had been called in to knock down the charred debris.

“It’s hard to get at it,” he said. “It’s not safe.”

Fire crews were still at the scene at 6:30 p.m.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net

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