Maine Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating China Blaze

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety, a late-night fire destroyed nearly an entire garage and caused significant damage to a home in China on Sunday, October 18.

The China Fire Department responded to a reported residential structure fire at 19 41st FireRoad at approximately 11:13 PM Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames involving a garage and workshop attached to or adjoining a two-story, single-family home.

The fire nearly destroyed the garage and spread to the residence, damaging exterior walls, windows and portions of the upper level.

During firefighting operations, a firefighter from the Albion Fire Department suffered a leg injury involving a fire department vehicle. The firefighter was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Investigators with the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office responded and identified the garage as the suspected area where the fire began. A woodstove operating inside the garage was identified as a potential ignition source. However, investigators could not rule out other possibilities, including electrical equipment and electric bicycles stored in the garage.

The exact cause of the fire has not been determined, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Three horses also escaped from an enclosure on the property during the incident. They remained loose for several hours before all three were safely located and returned to their enclosure.

Fire departments from Albion, Winslow, Waterville, Sidney, Palermo and Windsor provided mutual aid.

With the heating season beginning, the Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents to ensure woodstoves and other heating appliances are properly installed and maintained, with adequate clearance from combustible materials. Garages and workshops containing heating appliances should also be kept free of unnecessary combustible materials.