A firefighter works on the scene of a garage fire in Jefferson on Thursday, April 13. The owner of the home knocked down the fire with a garden hose before firefighters arrived. (Elizabeth Walztoni photo)
Four fire departments responded to a reported structure fire in Jefferson on Thursday, April 13, to find flames beaten down by a resident of the home using his garden hose.
According to Jefferson Fire & Rescue Chief Alan Johnston, the fire at 641 Waldoboro Road was called in by a passerby, who knocked on the door let the homeowner to know his garage was smoking.
By the time Jefferson Fire & Rescue arrived, the flames were out, Johnston said.
The Lincoln County Communications Center paged departments at 4:27 p.m.
Waldoboro, Whitefield, and Somerville fire departments also responded, providing mutual aid. Waldoboro Emergency Medical Services stood by.
Firefighters tore off part of the garage’s siding to put more water on the structure, Johnston said. The department used thermal imaging cameras to be sure the fire had not extended into the attached house before clearing the scene.
There were no injuries, according to Johnston.
Because the fire was called in during the afternoon, department members were working at their jobs outside the all-volunteer department, which contributed to the number of departments responding.
Johnston said mutual aid, responses from neighboring departments like that Thursday, helps keep coverage during daytime calls.
“Thank God for our mutual aid towns,” Johnston said.
The Maine State Fire Marshal is still investigating the cause of the fire, according to Shannon Moss, public information officer for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
First responders gathered at Jefferson home where a garage caught fire on Thursday, April 13. Four area fire departments responded. (Elizabeth Walztoni photo)
