A Sanford farmhouse was heavily damaged by fire Wednesday morning.

The residents of 308 Grammar Road called the Central Fire Station to report an odor in the house shortly before 7 a.m., then reported it was on fire a few minutes later as crews were responding, said Fire Chief Steve Benotti.

Crews found an active fire and heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the older Cape-style home, Benotti said. Firefighters could not enter the building until a second company arrived because of the intensity of the fire.

A second alarm was struck to call in crews from Kennebunk, North Berwick, Alfred, Acton and Shapleigh.

The fire was contained to the second floor and attic, which sustained heavy fire, Benotti said. There is smoke and water damage to the first floor.

“It’s not a total loss by any means,” Benotti said.

Benotti described the fire as “manpower intensive” because it was between the metal roof and old wood boards. The local fire marshal and State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire.

No one was injured in the fire. Farm animals that live on the property were not affected, Benotti said.

Benotti said this fire is a good reminder for people to always report fires directly to 911 instead of calling the fire station. Calling the station can delay response times, he said.

“If they had called 911 initially, they would have had a better response from the beginning,” he said.

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