UNION — Fire departments from around Knox County were called out just after 2:30 a.m. Aug. 4 for a confirmed structure fire on Payson Road in Union that was well underway and reported to be quickly consuming the garage and vehicles inside.

Sgt. Ken Grimes of the State Fire Marshal’s Office said Friday that due to the extent of the damage, the cause of the fire has been deemed “undetermined.”

Grimes said the fire originated in the garage and then extended to the house.

“It was a total loss,” said Grimes. “There was not much to work with in determining the cause, due to the extent of damage, and unless other information comes forward we will close the case.”

The fire was reported at around 2:35 a.m., at 414 Payson Road. When the first responder arrived on scene, he reported that the fire had extended to the house, which was also then fully involved.

The residents, a man and woman, were able to escape the fire uninjured. The home is owned by Chesley “Chet” Farrell, according to town records.

As crews scrambled to their fire stations to gather water-filled engines, pumpers and other equipment, fire engines capable of pumping and transporting water from sources nearby were set up on a constant rotation to keep water flowing at the scene. At the head of the line, each engine pulled up to a portable water-holding tank, set up at the end of the driveway on Payson Road, and water pumped from a nearby mill pond was emptied into the tank.

Neighbors who called in the fire reported the sounds of explosions, and loud explosions that continued to occur while the firefighters were battling the worst of the blaze were heard by bystanders and other first responders. The glow and smoke from the fire could be seen from Route 17 in both directions, and flames shot 60- to 80-feet through the trees into the clear, dark sky.

The garage and the house were completely destroyed in the fire, along with two vehicles parked in the garage.

An hour after the call, firefighters had the fire contained and by around 4:30 a.m., the Union fire chief reported that the fire was knocked down and extensive mop-up was underway.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office was summoned to the scene by Union Fire Chief Kevin Soule to investigate and determine the cause of the fire. Union Ambulance responded along with the mutual aid fire departments from Warren, Waldoboro, Washington, Hope, Appleton and Rockport, and the ambulance remained on scene with Union Fire Department during cleanup. Sterling Ambulance was on stand-by earlier in the morning in case they were needed too.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 706-6655.