HARPSWELL

No one was hurt in a fire that damaged part of a home at 8 Hirams Drive in Harpswell Monday afternoon. 

The fire was reported at around 12:15 p.m. at the home located next to Webber & Sons Lobster off Pinkham Point Road. 

Cundy’s Harbor Fire Chief Ben Wallace said the two-story home is owned by Rick Webber. All three of Harpswell’s fire departments responded as well as Brunswick Fire Department. 

Wallace said firefighters were told the fire had started in the basement when the homeowner was trying to thaw some pipes, which must have ignited floorboards. He said the homeowner had been using a Salamander propane heater.

Firefighters combated heavy smoke conditions which became flames quickly. The problem was that the fire got into the walls and voids created when an addition was put on the home.

The homeowners reported the fire and were able to get out before anyone was injured. 

The addition on the side of the house received extensive damage along with the kitchen. The second floor also has some damage.

A paramedic working out of Mid Coast Hospital’s Harpswell fly car Monday actually arrived on scene first. He reported smoke showing, Wallace said, which helped let firefighters know what they were dealing with. 

Wallace said the fire marshal’s office has been notified of the fire.

Within 20 minutes of arriving at the structure fire, another tone went out, this time for a reported gas leak down the road, Wallace said. Since there were no firefighters left to send, Brunswick Fire Department responded to the call, which ended up being a minor electrical issue.

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