Mutual aid credited for quick, strong response

UPDATE - Fire heavily damages Union home; family says cat knocked over a candle

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 10:15pm

Story Location:
503 Davis Road
Union, ME
United States

    UNION — As many as 30 firefighters from four towns joined Union Fire Department and worked together late Monday afternoon to battle a blaze at the Davis Road home of Wendy and George Pizzillo.

    The fully involved structure fire was called in at 4:12 p.m. and two people were transported to the hospital, neither of them firefighters, according to Union Fire Capt. Jesse Thompson.

    One of those transported was George Pizzillo, according to family, and the other was a minor. A family member late Monday night also said that the house caught fire after a cat knocked over a candle onto a couch, igniting the furniture. The candle was being used due to the fact that the electricity was out at the residence. And due to the power outage, there was no running water in the home because the well pump wasn’t functioning.

    Thompson said the single-story ranch-style home was heavily damaged. But he credited teamwork with keeping the home from burning to the ground.

    "We had a fairly good save on the building due to the good mutual aid system we have in place," said Thompson. "We had a good response, and that's due to mutual aid."

    Many area firefighters and departments had already been out on numerous calls for downed tree limbs and wires Monday due to the ice storm. And in some cases, firefighters were already out and able to divert to the fire at 503 Davis Road.

    Thompson said the State Fire Marshal's Office would be coming to the scene Tuesday to determine the cause of the fire.

    Fire departments from Appleton, Hope, Rockport and Warren assisted Union at the scene, according to Thompson, while Waldoboro and Washington units stood by Union's station for coverage in case of another call.

    Thompson said no other buildings were involved in Monday’s fire.

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