LIVERMORE – A family of seven, with five children, escaped unharmed from a fire that gutted a garage and extended into the attic above the attached kitchen Thursday night. A state fire investigator was on the scene Friday trying to determine the cause.
The United Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross has helped Brenda Yeaton and her family with their basic needs by providing temporary lodging, food and clothing.
The family, which had no renter’s insurance, was at a Lewiston motel, Livermore Fire Chief Randy Berry said Friday.
Firefighters were able to save the main two-story house on Hathaway Road from burning, though there is smoke and water damage, Berry said. The house is near the junction of Crash Road not too far from Route 4.
Two cats and two birds perished in the blaze, he said.
The two-bay garage was heavily engulfed in flame, Berry said, when he arrived. The fire was reported at 9:41 p.m.
Berry said about 45 to 50 firefighters from Livermore, Livermore Falls, Jay, Canton and Turner responded to the scene.
At one point, Berry said, he didn’t think they were going to be able to keep the fire out of the main house. The wind kept pushing the fire from the garage toward the main portion of the house, Berry said.
The fire from the eaves of the garage did get into the attic over the one-story kitchen, which is between the garage and main portion of the home, Berry said.
“The guys did an outstanding job,” Berry said. “They got a good vent for us that stopped the fire from spreading.”
Berry said Livermore firefighters cleared the scene at 3 a.m. Friday and he was back at the house later in the day to walk it with state investigator Chris Stanford.
The cause remains under investigation, but it is believed to have started in the garage, Berry said. The attic space above the kitchen is gutted as well as the garage, he said.
“The main house is pretty stable,” Berry said.
The owner of the home is Corrine Cote, he said.
Douglas K. Hoyt Sr., executive director of the United Valley Chapter of American Red Cross, said Friday that the group has contacted several agencies to get help for the family.
The main thing is to find them housing in the Livermore and Livermore Falls area because the children were in SAD 36, Hoyt said.
Hoyt said he couldn’t say where the family was staying because of privacy issues, but did say that if anyone wanted to help with housing they could contact the Red Cross at 795-4004.
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