A Whitefield couple lost their home in a raging structure fire Fri. night, despite the best efforts of firefighters from eight local towns to control the flames.
Fire victims Stephen and Holly Torsey of 651 Townhouse Rd. in Whitefield were able to escape without major injury, with Holly running to a neighbor’s home for assistance, according Whitefield Fire Chief Jim Brann. Firefighters got the call at 9:45 p.m.; the first personnel and equipment arrived at 9:50 p.m., according to Brann.
Firefighters found the two-story home fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival. Mutual aid was summoned even as the first hose teams were deployed. As the incident continued, Whitefield firefighters were assisted by firefighters from Alna, Windsor, Pittston, Somerville, Newcastle, and Jefferson. Firefighters from Waldoboro covered the Jefferson station during part of the fire until additional Jefferson firefighters relieved them. Delta Ambulance, Windsor Rescue, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Red Cross also responded to the scene.
Firefighters and rescue personnel braved night-time darkness and sub-freezing temps as they battled the blaze and assisted the victims. As water from the fire hoses iced over the road, Steven McGee was called in with a truck to spread sand over the area, according to Brann.
A neighbor assisted firefighters by allowing them to warm up in his home, according to Brann.
It took the entire night to extinguish the blaze completely, with Nathan Northrup being called in with heavy equipment to sift through the wreckage of the home so firefighters could access hot spots.
Morning light was just beginning to spread over the scene of devastation when firefighters finally finished their efforts at 5 a.m. on Sat.
The Torseys are staying with a neighbor, and the Red Cross has offered them assistance, according to Brann.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
For a complete report on this and other news, check The Lincoln County News in print and online this Weds. afternoon.
