CAMDEN — One person died and four were injured in a fire that destroyed a Mt. Battie Street house early Thursday morning.
Four people were transported to the Pen Bay Medical Center, according to Camden Fire Chief Chris Farley. One of them was later taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland.
Later Thursday morning, one body was recovered at the scene and transported to the Maine Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta, Farley said.
Firefighters try to contain a fire that destroyed a home in Camden early Thursday morning. One person died and four were hospitalized. Rockport Fire Department
The identities of the person who died and those who were injured were not released Thursday, but school officials said in an email to families with children in the school system that students in the district had lived at the home.
Firefighters were called to the home at 7 Mt. Battie St. at 1:14 a.m. About 54 firefighters from Camden, Rockport, Hope and Lincolnville responded to the fire. When Farley arrived, fire was blazing from all doors and windows on the front and side of the house.
Many people watched from the street, and one family member said there was still someone in the building, he said. Neighbors said they woke to the sound of screaming and found the power was out. One of them called 911.
Farley had not left the scene when investigators from the state Fire Marshal’s Office arrived. At 8:30 a.m., Farley said the investigators were going through the remains of the building.
Rockport Fire Department posted on its Facebook page: “1:14 am we were called to Camden for a structure fire along with Hope and Lincolnville. Our hearts go out to those involved. We cleared the scene at 3:10 am and headed back to the station to replace packs and prepare for the next call.”
Local schools Superintendent Maria Libby emailed a letter to families with teenagers and children in the school system. She said “there was a serious fire in Camden last night that destroyed the home of some of our students.”
“No words can convey the hurt that the fire at the Hedstrom/Connors home has caused their family and will cause the greater community. This tragedy last night will impact many of us and many of you, your children and your friends.”
The letter was signed by the principals at the high school, middle school and elementary school.
The schools are offering social workers and guidance counselors as resources to families and children. Staff are available to help, according to the email, which provides telephone numbers to call for assistance.
Copy the Story LinkComments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
