Nobleboro Fire Chief, Ryan Gallagher reported seeing flames from the fully involved Williams home reflecting in the pond at the top of the Alewife ladder in Damariscotta Mills late Friday evening.
The homeowners Russell and Diana Williams said they were at the Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta watching a movie, “The King’s Speech,” when a neighbor reported the fire around 9:01 p.m. March 18. The Williams’ pets: their dog “Moxie” and two cats, made it out of the house safely.
On March 21, Gallagher said Monday the cause of the fire remains undetermined at the moment, but Gallagher and the State Fire Marshal suspect an electrical source. According to the Williams’ and Gallagher, the fire looks like it started in the master bedroom on the second floor, in the back of the house, overlooking the alewife ladder.
Seven fire departments responded to the Friday night call, including Newcastle, Damariscotta, Nobleboro, Wiscasset, Bremen, Waldoboro and Jefferson.
Gallagher called the fire “stubborn,” as the source of the fire was located at junctures in the roofs. The structure made it difficult for firefighters to extinguish the flames. At one point they evacuated the second floor for fear of a collapse, he said.
Firefighters eventually punched a hole through the roof and ran a hose through to douse the flames.
Nearby residents experienced a power outage for some time while departments fought the blaze. Gallagher said he asked Central Maine Power to cut the electrical power going to the house for the safety of the firefighters. Teams brought a ladder truck and he did not want to risk any casualties. The only way CMP could cut power to the house was to shut down power for the area.
Gallagher said firefighters cleared the scene at 4:30 a.m. Saturday and his crew left the station between 8 and 9 a.m. Gallagher went to the annual town meeting shortly thereafter.
According to Diana Williams, the original house on the same location burned as well, on the same day as town meeting. She said a neighboring storefront caught fire and spread to the house. Their house was built some time during the 1900s, she said. The barn, which was saved by firefighters from this blaze, was built in the 1830s.
Gallagher said the adjoining mudroom/shed kept the fire from spreading to the barn. The fire was contained mostly to the upper floor. Gallagher said the second floor bedrooms in the front of the house remain pretty much intact, but everything to the rear of the house was damaged. The kitchen/dining room area on the first floor also sustained some damage.
The Williams both expressed their gratitude to all their neighbors and others in the community who pitched in to help them.
“We’re fine,” Russ said. “Our pets got out and no one got hurt.”
The couple has been staying with neighbors Rick Hirsh and Jean Kerrigan up on Borland Hill Road since 3 a.m. Saturday. They are looking into the possibilities of renting some space as they piece their life back together.
“The community support has been overwhelming,” Russ said as Diana nodded her head while she clutched Moxie in her arms.
Thrilled about the support and thankful no one was injured, the couple spoke of how residents gathered at their doorstep on Saturday to help pack up saved items from the house.
The Lincoln County News publisher Chris Roberts brought boxes and worked alongside others. Several residents opened up their homes to the couple. Alex Nevens of Newcastle’s Publick House returned with pizza for everyone, they said.
The couple stood outside their home on a blustery Monday morning with Gallagher, the fire marshal and an insurance adjuster to assess the damage. The frame of the house and walls are upright. There is a large hole burned through the roof and the second floor looks charred through the windows, which are still intact.
“We’ll definitely rebuild,” Diana Williams said. “We wouldn’t leave this community for anything.”
