AUBURN — A fully involved structure fire at 625 North Auburn Road Sunday displaced a family of six and took the lives of several pets.

The fire was reported at about noon on Sunday.

Daniel Lachapelle, the owner of the home, said no one was inside the house at the time of the fire. He lived there with his wife, Heidi, their two children, and Heidi’s parents. He is also a employee at the Sun Journal. 

Lachapelle’s father-in-law is planning to retire from his position at Bates College in two weeks. 

Lachapelle said they lost a couple cats, a guinea pig and some fish in the blaze.

“It was an 1840s house with old wood,” Lachapelle said.

Lachapelle said the blaze started toward the back end and the wind moved it forward quickly. 

Auburn Batallion Chief Scott Hunter said the cause is currently undetermined, but fire marshals will be returning Monday to investigate. 

“The house was a total loss, but it was fully insured,” Hunter said. 

Lachapelle said that he and his family will be staying with nearby family members tonight.

“Everyone’s been very supportive,” he said. “I think someone already put up a GoFundMe page.” 

The fire did not spread to any other structures, but the heat of the flames melted a plastic children’s playhouse in the backyard. 

The house was completely destroyed in the blaze, and Auburn Public Works was out excavating the scene. 

Fire departments from Auburn, Lewiston, Minot, Durham and New Gloucester responded.

A GoFundMe page for the Lachapelle and Lebel families has been posted. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/urujese4.

This story will be updated.

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