Crews from New Gloucester Fire & Rescue and several other towns – as well as a passing Poland Spring water truck driver – helped extinguish a house fire at 12 Abbey Lane, off Route 26, early Tuesday morning.

Captain Scott Doyle was the first to arrive around 4:40 a.m. and requested for additional resources, striking the second alarm. According to Doyle, who also serves as the public information officer for the department, the home consisted of a main house, ell, and barn. The home had fire at the rear of the building and all five occupants were out of the home. All evacuated safely and no one was injured.

Fire crews from New Gloucester, Gray, Raymond, Poland, Auburn, Pownal and North Yarmouth responded. Only a portion of the home was damaged. Crews knocked the majority of the fire down quickly, Doyle said. There is a considerable amount of smoke damage inside the home. The fire was under control within an hour. Overhauling of the home took an additional two hours. An estimated 18,000 gallons of water was used, Doyle said. A Poland Spring water tanker truck stopped and provided water to douse the flames.

Approximately $150,000 was reported in damages to the home. Cause of the fire is unknown at this time, Doyle said. The fire started on the second floor of the home. The homeowner was alerted by her dog. There is a question on whether there were smoke detectors on the first floor. There is also a question if the smoke detectors activated appropriately on the second floor, Doyle said.

“Everyone needs to ensure that they have smoke detectors in each bedroom, hallways leading to the bedrooms, kitchen, and on all levels of the home. Batteries in the smoke detectors need to be changed every six months or each time we change our clocks,” Doyle said. “Fire moves very fast and smoke will not necessarily wake you up. Always have an escape plan. Know two ways out of your home and workplace.”New Gloucester Fire & Rescue

Fire crewsRear of homePoland Spring water truck