FREEPORT

No injuries in Christmas Eve blaze in mobile home

A couple who lived in a mobile home near Winslow Memorial Park lost their home to fire on Christmas Eve.

Fire Chief Darrel Fournier said the fire gutted Richard Peacock’s home at 7 Starboard Lane, off Staples Point Road in a mobile home park called Duck Away.

Fournier said the fire broke out around 5 p.m. in a bedroom. Peacock told firefighters that he saw smoke coming from under a hospital-style bed that was powered by an electric motor, and by the time he had filled a bucket with water, the fire had spread to curtains.

No one was injured, but Fournier said Peacock was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. He and his wife spent Christmas Eve with relatives.

The cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious.

Because of the holiday and staffing shortages in volunteer fire departments, Fournier said the town got help from Pownal, Durham, Yarmouth, Brunswick, Cumberland and Falmouth.

PITTSTON

People form human chain to salvage gifts after home fire

Firefighters and neighbors formed a human chain Monday night to help salvage Christmas presents after a fire at the home of Carolyn Moody on Blinn Hill Road.

Fire Chief Jason Farris said everyone escaped without injury, including a firefighter who fell through the floor in one spot. Farris said the home is a total loss although the damage is not visible from the outside.

He said the blaze, which was reported about 5:30 p.m. Monday, appears to have started in a generator.

“Somehow it caught fire and they had just filled it with gas,” he said Tuesday.

Farris said firefighters had to cut branches to get trucks to the house and battled the fire in icy conditions.

He said firefighters from West Gardiner, Randolph, Farmingdale and Dresden assisted, bringing the total to about 25.

Farris said the firefighter who went through the floor caught himself on one of the joists and got himself out.

Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters removed many of the possessions.

BANGOR

Police identify victim hit, dragged in fatal accident

Police say the pedestrian who died after being hit by a vehicle and dragged about a half-mile was Larry Furbush, 43.

Officers found Furbush near the entrance to a Hannaford supermarket at the Airport Mall about 8 p.m. Saturday. Police say it appears he was hit on Vermont Avenue, about a half-mile, away, got trapped under the vehicle and was dragged.

The driver has been identified only as a man from New Brunswick. WABI-TV reported that the death remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.

Police say the driver did not know that someone was trapped under his vehicle and weather conditions, poor visibility and Furbursh’s dark clothing are considered factors.

AUGUSTA

LePage urges participation in holiday blood drive

Gov. Paul LePage is encouraging residents to participate in a holiday blood drive this week.

The American Red Cross, FairPoint Communications and other groups will host a blood drive in Bangor and Portland on Friday.

Blood can be donated between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland and the Bangor Elks Lodge.

The governor says one donation of blood can save the lives of as many as three people.

LePage’s office said donors will get Red Cross T-shirts and goodie bags. Participants can also enter a raffle to win prizes.

For more information: go to www.redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767.

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