WILTON — Officials believe an electric ceramic heater started a fire in a home at 406 Depot St. on Thursday morning, according to Wilton fire Chief Sonny Dunham.
Maria Thomas returned home about 9:45 a.m. to find smoke coming from her house.
When Dunham arrived, smoke was pouring from under the eaves but no flame was showing, he said.
There was minimal damage to the home, mostly from smoke and heat, he said. Little water was used to contain the fire, which started in the living area on the right-front side of the house, he said.
The heater had been on for the past three days. It was an automatic unit that turns on and off according to a set temperature, he said.
The wall behind the heater was torn down by firefighters, who brought out pails of insulation.
Some items in the kitchen area melted but Dunham thought the house could be cleaned and lived in again. The house is insured.
Thomas had just finished working a 16-hour shift at a local crisis center. Dunham said she would probably stay with her daughter.
Firefighters from Farmington, Jay, Livermore Falls, Chesterville and East Dixfield assisted Wilton at the scene. NorthStar ambulance also responded.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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- A small home on Depot Street in Wilton received smoke and heat damage from a fire caused by a ceramic heater Thursday morning. Area fire departments assisted Wilton Fire Department at the scene.
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- A small home on Depot Street in Wilton received smoke and heat damage from a fire caused by a ceramic heater Thursday morning. Area fire departments assisted Wilton Fire Department at the scene.
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