Skidder sets ablaze in Oxford

ELECTRICAL ISSUES — Around 8 a.m. on May 31, a logging skidder located about three-quarters of a mile into the woods off Haily's Lane in Oxford caught fire from "electrical issues around the starter," said Oxford Fire Chief Scott Hunter. He said that the operator of the machine, Ricky Taylor from New Sharon, reported that he had smelled burning wires prior to the blaze. Hunter said the skidder was a complete loss and that estimated damages amount to $40,000. Firefighters from Norway and Mechanic Falls also responded to the fire. The flames were extinguished within 15 minutes, said Hunter.

.