FARMINGTON — A barn fire Tuesday evening destroyed canoes, kayaks and life jackets intended for Mt. Blue High School students planning a white-water rafting trip June 15, co-owner Karen Cyr said.
She said she and her husband, Patrick, were eating dinner at about 6 p.m. when she saw flames shooting from the pole barn behind their house and garage at 656 Mosher Hill Road. They attempted to hose down the house and garage, and move vehicles before firefighters arrived.
Wind blew flames away from the other buildings.
The barn contained a tractor from the 1940s, tools, a total of six canoes and kayaks, and life jackets. There were 30 years of mementos and treasures in the structure, Karen Cyr said at the scene.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal was contacted to help determine the cause, Farmington Fire and Rescue Chief Terry Bell said.
Patrick Cyr built the barn about 15 years ago, his wife said, and did a lot of woodworking there. It is insured, she said.
The couple are white-water rafting guides and lead a group of Mt. Blue High School students on two trips each year. The students are members of Youth Expeditions to Ignite and had planned a trip down Moose River in Jackman on June 15, she said. The couple are advisers for the club.
They will need 30 life jackets in good condition, and at least one canoe before the trip date, she said.
Several fire departments, including Wilton, New Vineyard, Industry and New Sharon help Farmington Fire and Rescue.
NorthStar Emergency Services and Farmington police helped at the scene.
abryant@sunmediagroup.net
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