9 Fire Departments Respond to Christian Ridge House Fire Friday

Nine Fire Departments responded to a two-story house fire on Friday afternoon October 2nd on the Christian Ridge Road in Ellworth.

The Ellsworth Fire Department was toned out at 1:19 and an officer arrived within 5 minutes. Upon arrival he found heavy smoke with fire in the attic and on the 2nd floor, The first engine arrived within 6 minutes. With the occupants out of the building firefighters began an interior attack.

With the fire burning in two separate attic spaces, the fire was dififcult to reach. A partial roof and interior ceiling collapse made it even more difficult. With no hydrants nearby, a tanker shuttled water. The fire was eventually declared under contral around 5:34 pm.

In addition to the Ellsworth Fire Department, Hancock, Lamoine, Trenton, Orland, Mariaville, Dedham, Mount Desert and Bar Harbor Fire Departments took part in fighting the fire, covered Ellsworth's station or stood by. The Schoodic Tanker Task Force was involved.

Ellsworth Fire Chief Scott Guilleraul stated "This was a long labor-intensive fire, and it took a true regional effort to bring it under control. I am proud of our crews and deeply grateful to our mutual aid partners, who answered the call and stayed with us throughout the afternoon."

The Christian Ridge Road was closed much of the afternoon and it reopened at 5:30 p.m.

No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross is assisting the family and the Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.