FRIENDSHIP — An adult female sustained substantial, life-threatening injuries at the scene of a house fire in Friendship, Monday night, Jan. 19, 2026. Firefighters located the woman outside the residence, according to the Fire Marshal's Office, and identified her as an occupant of the home. She was treated on scene by Waldoboro EMS and subsequently transported by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center, in Portland. 

A 911 call alerting emergency responders of the fire reported visible flames and noises consistant with explosions at approximately 9:45 p.m., Monday night, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The single-story family home was already fully involved in flames when the fire chief arrived soon after. Responding units were quickly informed by a neighbor of a female who'd suffered burns as a result of the blaze. 

According to findings reviewed by a Fire Marshal's Office investigator, in a Jan. 20 news release, evidence at the scene indicated that a small explosion had occurred. The investigation revealed that the residence did not have electrical service, and generators were being used to supply power. The home was also being heated by a fireplace. Propane gas was being used for cooking purposes, and several propane cylinders of varying sizes were located in and around the residence.

The investigation remains ongoing; however, the incident is not considered suspicious at this time. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Waldoboro EMS, already en route as an automatic response unit, tended to the victim. Also responding were fire crews from Warren, Waldoboro, and Cushing. Set into motion as a second alarm was Thomaston FD, and when a water shortage was realized, tanker trucks responded from Bremen and Nobleboro. 

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com