Fire consumed the summer home of Jeff and Amy Dominick on Damariscotta Lake in Jefferson on Feb. 4.
The fire had fully engulfed the shorefront building on Cottage Road when crews arrived shortly after 1 a.m. Around 8:30 a.m., the ruins of the building briefly re-ignited.
Although the call came at 1 a.m., neighbors’ reports indicate the fire may have been burning since about 11 p.m. the night before, said Jefferson Fire Chief Walter Morris.
No one is believed to have been in the cottage for at least several days prior to the fire, crews at the scene said.
Flames from the fire scorched the side and melted the shingles of detached garage across the narrow road, and charred the limbs of several trees. “Thank God there was no wind,” said Jefferson fire fighter Greg Johnston.
Neighbor Richard Somoya said he slept through the overnight fire, but “saw smoke this morning” and called in the re-ignition. Somoya said the cottage was new. “She’ll be broken hearted,” he said of the owner.
An investigator from the fire marshal’s office visited the site on Feb. 6. Although the investigation is ongoing, there is “nothing suspicious” and “no indication of foul play,” Morris said. “Realistically, we may never know what started the fire.”
Fire crews from Jefferson, Whitefield, Somerville, Windsor, Nobleboro and Waldoboro responded to the scene.
