State Fire Officials Investigate Two Separate Fires Involving Animals In Maine This Weekend

Maine's top fire officials were called to investigate two separate fires that happened Saturday, February 28th, both of which involved animals.

The first fire occurred in York County, in the town of Hollis. The Maine Department of Public Safety says firefighters were called to a residence at 466 Hollis Road just after 10 AM. There were reports of a fire in a trailer/outbuilding on the property. When emergency personnel arrived, they could see smoke and were able to knock it down quickly.

Read More: Bangor, Maine Police Arrest a Man at a Hotel for Alleged Assault

Officials say they believe the fire was accidental in nature.

"The outbuilding, which had no electrical service, was being used as a shelter for approximately twelve cats. Fire Marshal Investigators determined that the fire originated at or immediately adjacent to a propane-fired portable heater positioned near a refrigerator. The heater had been placed into operation the previous evening and was connected to a 20-pound propane cylinder."

They said that they were able to locate 11 of the 12 cats and that those 11 animals survived. However, one cat is still unaccounted for.

According to authorities, the main residence was not affected, but the outbuilding did sustain damage. Thankfully, no one was injured in that fire.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for another blaze Fire Marshals investigated later that morning in the Kennebec County town of Belgrade.

Authorities say crews from the Belgrade Fire Department, along with several other neighboring departments, were called to a home on the Augusta Road at around 11 AM Saturday. Firefighters were able to put that fire out pretty quickly, too. While the homeowners were not around at the time of the fire, fire personnel did locate two dogs inside the home. However, they were not able to save them. That's when they called in the Fire Marshal to investigate.

"Despite life-saving efforts, both dogs died as a result of the fire. Investigators determined the fire originated in the kitchen. Evidence suggests the dogs likely jumped toward the stove to reach items on top, inadvertently igniting the burner. The fire caused significant fire damage."

Investigators determined that this fire was also an accident.

Read More: Maine Student Allegedly Made Threats, Had a Gun on School Grounds

Fire officials urge homeowners who also own precocious pets to take measures to prevent them from acting on their curiosity and possibly starting a fire.

" We urge pet owners to never leave food, trash, or items on their stovetop and use stove knob covers or child-safety locks to prevent pets from accidentally turning on burners. Keep your kitchen clear and your pets safe."