RUMFORD – Several people were left homeless Tuesday afternoon after their two-story home on Route 232 was destroyed by fire, Rumford Police Sgt. Tracey Higley said.
No one was injured, he said, but the owner’s two dogs were unaccounted for late in the afternoon.
The name of the homeowner was not immediately available.
Fire Departments from Rumford, Mexico, Woodstock, Greenwood, Dixfield, Peru, and Andover responded to the blaze, which was first reported by a passer-by at 1:26 p.m., Higley said.
He said he arrived at the scene “pretty early. The fire had completely engulfed the home at that point. It had a huge head start.”
The 30- by 40-foot home was a total loss, but the garage 25 feet away was saved, he said.
“The firefighters did an outstanding job protecting the garage,” Higley said. “They were so close to each other, and the firefighters were able to head it off before more damage could be done.”
The State Fire Marshal was called to investigate the cause.
The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control.
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