Searsmont family forced to jump out of second-floor window to escape fire
The Bragg family home in Searsmont burns overnight Wednesday. (Courtesy Tracy Harford)
‘The family was very lucky to get of this fire,’ said Searsmont firefighter Tracy Harford. (Courtesy Tracy Harford)
Searsmont firefighter Tracy Harford said this is what the house looked like when he arrived on scene. (Courtesy Tracy Harford)
(Courtesy Tracy Harford)
The Bragg family home in Searsmont burns overnight Wednesday. (Courtesy Tracy Harford)
‘The family was very lucky to get of this fire,’ said Searsmont firefighter Tracy Harford. (Courtesy Tracy Harford)
Searsmont firefighter Tracy Harford said this is what the house looked like when he arrived on scene. (Courtesy Tracy Harford)
(Courtesy Tracy Harford)
SEARSMONT — The Bragg family woke up early Thursday morning to the smell of smoke in their house, and Searsmont Fire Chief James Ames said they had to jump from windows on the second story to escape the blaze.
True Bragg jumped first, and then his wife, Jannika, dropped their 9-month-old infant down to him.
"After they got the baby out, she jumped out the window too," said Ames.
The fire was called in to 911 around 12:30 a.m., and the house is located at 169 Woodmans Mill Road (Route 173).
When firefighters arrived, Ames said the house was fully involved, with flames coming out all the windows. Firefighters went into a defensive attack mode until the fire was knocked down.
"Once we had it knocked down, we suited up and went inside to see what else we had," said Ames.
The fire ultimately destroyed the residence, the shell of which remains standing late Thursday morning, and all its contents, said Ames. The fire, he said, started around the chimney and the wood stove, which was being used overnight.
The house had smoke detectors, but apparently the family did not hear them going off. They were alerted by the smell of smoke.
Ames said that the state Fire Marshal's Office has been contacted, and an investigator has already visited the scene this morning.
"Everything points to the chimney and wood stove area, but we are not able to rule any one cause specifically," said Ames.
In addition to Searsmont's 12 firefighters, mutual aid was provided by Morrill, Belmont and Lincolnville. In total, Ames said there were 25-30 firefighters on scene. Searsmont firefighters remained on scene until about 9:30 a.m., chasing hot spots.
"I didn't want any rekindles so we kept at it," said Ames.
There were no injuries, and Ames said the infant was taken to the hospital to be checked out but was also not injured. The American Red Cross has been contacted and Ames said the Braggs have family in town.
Related link:
• A Leap of Faith for the Bragg Family
Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.
Event Date
Address
169 Woodmans Mill Road
Searsmont, ME
United States
