ROCKPORT — Rockport Fire Department responded to a house fire at 6 Wellington Drive late Thursday night and found the attached garage was fully involved and fire was already being pushed into the house by last night’s strong winds.

Rockport fire fighters and a North East Mobile Health Care ambulance were first on the scene, and the single alarm call turned into a second alarm, bringing mutual aid from Rockland and Camden fire departments.

The call came in just after 11 p.m. Oct. 23, and was reported by a neighbor who could see flames at the home across the street from theirs.

Rockport Fire Chief Jason Peasley said the neighbor saw a large orange glow across the street, and when they looked out, they saw flames had filled the garage, with two cars inside.

“While one of our first two guys on scene grabbed hand lines and made their way to the front door, a North East ambulance crew was on scene and they had been to the house a week before and knew that there was an older woman that lived there,” said Peasley. “They knew which bedroom she was in and they broke the window to get in, and when they found her bed was made, they knew she wasn’t there.”

Peasley said that the woman is currently at a residential facility and her family is en route to give her to news.

Firefighters worked hard to initially battle the blaze from the interior, but eventually had to move outside and battle it from the exterior, said Peasley.

“The fire never made it to the far side of the house, but it’s a total loss due to heat and water damage,” said Peasley.

He added that the state Fire Marshal’s Office has been called to aid in investigating the cause, but due to the extent of damage, a conclusive cause other than “undetermined” may be all that can be declared.

Peasley said that at this stage, they only thing they learned is a neighbor indicated there was a large lightning strike between his house and the house that burned, “but we can’t base the cause of the fire on that at this point.”

“What we do know is that it started on the left side of the garage,” said Peasley.

The residence is located off Old County Road, and was assessed by the town for tax purposes at nearly $450,000.

Peasley said that Rockport had a great response, with 18 of its firefighters answering the call with engines 21, 23, 23 and 25 on scene. Rockland brought five firefighters to assist and Camden had seven, said Peasley.

“We had a lot of people there, which was great,” said Peasley.

He added in jest, “Especially since the winds were blowing at at least 150 mph.”

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.