Firefighters are shown here inside a home at 19 Harmon Ave. in Old Orchard Beach where they fought a blaze Saturday evening. The home, owned by Maurice and Barbara Doucette, was heavily damaged. One family member was treated for burns. COURTESY PHOTO/Perian Carpenter
Firefighters from four communities fought the blaze at 19 Harmon Ave. in Old Orchard Beach.
Firefighters from four southern Maine communities fought this blaze at 19 Harmon Ave., in Old Orchard Beach Saturday night. the home was occupied by Maurice and Barbara Doucette and their children. One family member sustained burns, was treated at hospital and has since been released. COURTESY PHOTO/Perian Carpenter
Firefighters attack a blaze at 19 Harmon Ave. in Old Orchard Beach Saturday evening. The home was heavily damaged and the family displaced. One family member was treated for burns but has since been released form hospital, COURTESY PHOTO/Perian Carpenter
Old Orchard Beach Fire Department Capt. John Fitzpatrick said firefighters were called to the ranch-style home around 5 p.m. Saturday. He said the fire was quickly knocked down by firefighters from his department, as well as the departments of Biddeford, Saco and Scarborough.
Fitzpatrick said the home is heavily damaged. The cause of the fire is under investigaiton by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The family’s pets perished in the fire.
The community has sprung into action to assist the family.
Old Orchard Beach High School Principal John Suttie urged those who wished to donate gift cards to bring them to the school on Monday. Loranger Memorial School also put out the word on their Facebook page, as did the Old Orchard Beach Recreation Department, Cub Scout Pack 250, and OOB365 organizer Shari MacDonald.
Family friend Erica Albair has created a Go Fund Me page to help the Doucette family with financial assistance at gofundme.com/doucette-family. By 6 a.m. today, the effort had reached more than $8,000 of its $10,000 goal.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
