SACO — An 83-year-old woman is dead and two others are homeless after a fire swept through a Hillview Avenue home in Saco on Saturday.
Firefighters responded to a neighbor’s call reporting a fire at 20 Hillview Ave. at 6 p.m. in Saco on Saturday night, said Maine Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland.
Firefighters found Claire Howard in the living room, said McCausland. They took her out of the house and tried to resuscitate her, but were unsuccessful.
Howard was alone in the house at the time of the fire, McCausland said.
She lived in the single-family, ranch style home with her daughter and son-in-law. City records show Howard owned the home with Sandra Birdsall.
The fire started in a home office, said McCausland and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Several area fire departments assisted Saco on Saturday night, either at the scene of the fire or covering the station, including Biddeford, Goodwins Mills, Buxton, Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough.
On Sunday, police tape blocked off the front yard of the property. Family members, who declined comment, were gathered in front of the property.
The Red Cross provided assistance to two people following the fire, according to Red Cross of Maine spokeswoman Ann Kim. The Red Cross provides help for immediate needs following a fire.
Claire Howard’s son Bill Howard, posted publicly on Facebook that the fire had not only taken his mother’s life, but left his sister, his brother-in-law, and several pets homeless.
“We are all in shock and dealing with so many things right now and I apologize for not being able to respond to everyone but know that I am so thankful for you all and your thoughts and prayers,” Bill Howard wrote.
Claire Howard’s son Stan Howard also posted publicly on Facebook, thanking friends for their loving thoughts and prayers.
“My sister now needs to find a place to live so please if anyone has something or knows of a place we need it she does have pets. The house is a total loss,” Stan Howard wrote.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or [email protected].
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