NEW GLOUCESTER — A family lost a dog and a cat in a house fire at 44 Targett Road on Thursday morning, Fire Department Capt. Scott Doyle said.
The cause is unknown, he said.
A neighbor saw smoke coming from the eaves of the ranch-style home at 9:05 a.m. and called 911, he said.
The homeowners, who were not identified, had left for work earlier, he said.
The kitchen fire was knocked down within minutes by firefighters, but there was heavy smoke and heat damage in other parts of the home, he said.
“The bedroom doors were closed in the home,” Doyle said. “This kept fire, the heavy smoke and heat from entering them … This saved many of their belongings from being engulfed.”
The home had a smoke detector, he said, but “it was unclear if it was operable prior to the department’s response. The homeowners also had cleared the latest round of snow from their driveway, deck and paths. This was very helpful for gaining access to the fire and opening doors to enter the home and to release the hot gases.”
Doyle said a dog and a cat perished in the fire and two other cats were missing.
New Gloucester firefighters were assisted by others from Gray, Poland, Durham and Raymond.
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