Firefighters braved freezing temperatures.
RUMFORD – A man and his two dogs escaped injury Monday afternoon when the mobile home where they lived caught fire.
Nearly 30 firefighters from four towns responded to the late afternoon fire at the home of George Breau in a section of Route 108 known as Smith Crossing. Deputy Fire Chief Ben Byam said the fire apparently started as Breau was cooking on a gas stove in the kitchen.
The flames quickly spread to the rest of the mobile home. Breau and one dog escaped immediately. However, Breau returned to the home to rescue the second dog. Breau had to be removed from the scene by the Rumford Police Department. He was taken to Rumford Hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation and released, Byam said.
Byam said a crew of firefighters then entered the mobile home to rescue the German shepherd. The dog was safely removed, then given oxygen by Med-Care personnel who were standing by. The dog was then taken to a local animal hospital where it was treated and released.
Another person who lives at the mobile home, Jeannine Marston, was not home at the time of the fire.
Byam said the mobile home was destroyed, and Breau was insured.
Firefighters from Rumford, Mexico, Peru and Dixfield cleared the scene at about 7 p.m.
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