A fire at 142 Egypt Rd. in Damariscotta Dec. 7 was the result of the placement of a portable heater too close to combustible materials in the house.
That determination was announced following a Dec. 11 meeting of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Damariscotta Fire Chief Neil Genther.
Genthner said his department received the call shortly after 5 p.m. Dec. 7.
“It was a vacant house that was being renovated by the homeowner,” Genthner said. “The fire was contained to the back bedroom and shed area, however there was heavy smoke and heat damage throughout the house and into the garage.”
Genthner said he thought it would take some work to make the dwelling liveable again.
In addition to the Damariscotta Fire Dept., the Newcastle, Nobleboro and Bristol fire departments responded to the call.
Central Lincoln County Ambulance responded and was released after it was confirmed that no one was injured.
“That’s always a good thing,” Genthner said.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Damariscotta Police Dept. closed the road for approximately three hours while firefighters contained the blaze.
Genthner said it was routine for the Fire Marshal to investigate any fire in which there is a heavy loss or a need to clarify the cause.
He said people should always read manufacturer recommendations when using portable heaters to ensure that a heat source is far enough away from combustible materials.
Genthner said the work of suppressing the fire “went off like clockwork.”
“Once again it proved how the mutual aid within Lincoln County has paid off,” he said. “Everyone worked well together. People should be proud of their local fire departments.”