By Dominik Lobkowicz
Updated Dec. 31 at 2:00 p.m.
Two firefighters keep a steady stream of water on the smoldering remains of a fire that leveled a home at 2844 Friendship Rd. during the early morning hours of Dec. 27. (D. Lobkowicz photo)
A fire that broke out in a home at 2844 Friendship Rd. in Waldoboro in the early hours of Dec. 27 destroyed the building, but a Waldoboro police officer helped get the single resident to safety, according to Assistant Fire Chief William Maxwell.
When emergency personnel arrived on scene, the over 1000-foot-long driveway had not been plowed after recent storms, Maxwell said.
Waldoboro Police Officer Thomas Bartunek rode in with Friendship Fire Chief Kevin Benner as Benner plowed out the driveway, and Bartunek was able to get into the home and helped the homeowner, Carol Clinton, exit the burning building, Maxwell said.
In an interview Dec. 30, Bartunek, who is also the assistant deputy chief for Pittston Volunteer Fire Department, said he kicked open the side door to the home and called Clinton’s name repeatedly before she answered.
“She was in the living room where the fire was, trying to put it out,” he said.
Bartunek helped Clinton into the front room of the home and went back to ensure no one else was in the building.
“The living room was fully involved at that point,” Bartunek said.
He went back to help Clinton outside, and “as soon as we left the house, the fire came right through the windows,” he said.
Waldoboro EMS transported Clinton to LincolnHealth – Miles Campus in Damariscotta. Clinton was treated and released that morning, according to LincolnHealth spokesperson Scott Shott.
Crews were paged out at 4:14 a.m. and fire departments from Jefferson, Warren, Union, and Friendship assisted in fighting the fire, according to Maxwell. At least 25 firefighters were involved in fighting the fire, he said.
Firefighters work to control a blaze that claimed a home on Friendship Road in Waldoboro
in the early hours of Dec. 27. (D. Lobkowicz photo)
At least 1100 feet of hose was strung from Waldoboro’s Engine 2 out at the road down the driveway to Friendship’s small four-wheel drive pumper near the house. Maxwell said he made the call to lay out the hose instead of sending trucks to the house so the trucks could continually run for more water.
Trucks were shuttling water from Friendship’s fire station and relayed it down to the house via Engine 2, Maxwell said.
Nobleboro Fire Department covered Waldoboro’s station during the fight, he said.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office sent investigators to the scene, and due to the extent of damage to the home ruled the cause as undetermined, Maxwell said.
Difficulty in fighting the fire came largely from weather conditions and because the driveway had not been plowed, Maxwell said.
“Homeowners need to understand they need to keep their driveways plowed for emergency vehicles,” Maxwell said. “It cuts into our response time.”
The scene was cleared at around 11 a.m. and the home was a total loss, he said.
