Fire chars home in McFalls, cause being determined

Photo: Kayla Collins

DAY AFTER — A one-and-a-half story home at 121 Pleasant Street in Mechanic Falls that was destroyed by fire February 18 around 1:30 p.m. Fire crews were called in from Mechanic Falls, Poland, Minot, Oxford and Auburn to help battle the flames. The State Fire Marshal is expected to return to the scene on Tuesday, when this photo was taken, to determine a cause. 

Photo: Kayla Collins

INVESTIGATING — Firefighters investigate the cause of a fire around 6 p.m. Monday evening that ripped through this home at 121 Pleasant Street in Mechanic Falls earlier that day. 

Photo: Kayla Collins

SMOKEY — Poland Fire Chief Mark Bosse looks on as firefighters from at least five nearby towns work together to douse a wind-driven fire, on Route 121 in Mechanic Falls Monday. 

MECHANIC FALLS — Fire crews from five nearby towns battled a fire at a home on Route 121 Monday afternoon across from the Pleasant Street Garage.

The call came in around 1:30 p.m., after a passer-by spotted the flames, according to reports.

Poland Fire Chief Mark Bosse expected crews to be on scene for at least a few hours dousing the flames and to ensure it was completely extinguished. 

"I think we will definitely be here awhile," Bosse said Monday, of the fire that destroyed the entire home and an attached ell. 

According to municipal assessing records, the one-and-a-half story home is valued at $64,000. The home is owned by Lou Goulet, according to reports. 

According to Bosse, Goulet and his son were not home when the fire started. 

Bosse said the extreme wind conditions kept fanning the fire, which originated in the rear of the building. 

"Winter conditions always make it difficult," he said. However, he was thankful for the fact that hydrants were nearby. 

"Everything is charred inside," he said. As of 1:50 p.m., flames were not showing on the outside of the home. He said water was mainly being sprayed on the inside of the home, where the fire was centered. 

"At this point, it's unsafe to enter," he said. 

The State Fire Marshal was on scene around 2 p.m., while firefighters continued to fight the flames, to determine a cause.

Mechanic Falls Fire Chief Deputy Matt Fifield estimated the loss to be around $150,000, and said Goulet had no insurance on the home. 

Crews from Mechanic Falls, Poland, Minot, Oxford and Auburn worked together to douse the flames. 

The Fire Marshal was expected to return to the scene Tuesday to further investigate what started the fire. 

More information will be posted as it becomes available. 

Photo: Leslie H. Dixon, Sun Media Wire

CHARRED — A fire broke out in a one-and-a-half-story wooden home on Route 121 across from the Pleasant Street Garage in Mechanic Falls around 1:30 p.m. Monday, completely charring it. Fire crews from Poland, Minot, Auburn and Oxford assisted Mechanic Falls in battling the blaze. The State Fire Marshall was on scene Monday, while firefighters continued to douse the flames, to determine a cause. 

Photo: Chuck Blaquiere

Fire burns in the rear of a home on Route 121 in Mechanic Falls Monday. 

Photo: Kayla Collins