Flames consume the Pampered Pups dog grooming business at 41 Western Ave. in Paris early Thursday morning. An investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office said a malfunctioning heat pump sparked the blaze, which left owners Steve and Carole Barrett homeless. (Chuck Blaquiere photo)
PARIS — A sergeant with the State Fire Marshal’s Office said Thursday that a malfunctioning heat pump caused a fire that destroyed a commercial building at 41 Western Ave. and left two people homeless.
Sgt. Ken Grimes said Steve and Carole Barrett, who owned the building where they operated Pampered Pups grooming business, lived in the apartment above the garage and escaped without injury.
Grimes said there were no pets in the building at the time.
The state investigator said the blaze started at the rear wall of the center section of the building at about 2:30 a.m. and spread quickly.
“The building was split into three sections: a private garage, a dog grooming business and an apartment building,” Grimes said. “It appears that the fire originated at the heat pump, which was installed on the rear wall of the business.”
“I believe that, for whatever reason, there was an electrical malfunction that caused a spark and started the fire,” he added.
Assistant Fire Chief Mark Blaquiere said a maintenance employee at the Oxford County Jail, which is across from the fire scene, saw the flames and notified authorities.
The wood-framed building was about 60 by 150 feet and was once the home of Moss Brook Church, Blaquiere said. A long time ago it was a pickle factory, he said.
He said he would not have an estimate on the monetary loss until Friday, adding that Steve Barrett told him he had very little insurance on the building.
According to WGME, more than 60 firefighters battled the flames for at least four hours.
“When I rolled up here, second unit on scene, the building was already fully involved. It was total loss,” Blaquiere said.
Two men who live next door to the burning building told WGME that they woke up to find the side of their home damaged.
“The window is just red,” Michael Myrick said. “All the windows up there were cracked. Fortunately, they didn’t fall in. Had they fallen in it would have thrown the fire in here and the policemen said the house probably would have been gone.”
The two told WGME they’re fortunate their home is still standing.
“We’re considered so lucky,” Myrick said. “We thought when we came back here the house would be full of smoke and we wouldn’t be able to stay. We’re lucky and it’s devastating.”
Paris residents said the Barretts are well-known in the area and hope the community will help them.
“They’re both very nice people. He renovated a house for us,” neighbor Michael Grenier said.
Firefighters battle flames at the Pampered Pups dog grooming business at 41 Western Ave. in Paris early Thursday morning. An investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office said a malfunctioning heat pump sparked the blaze, which left owners Steve and Carole Barrett homeless. (Chuck Blaquiere photo)
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