UNION — A house fire back up near a blueberry barren on Marrs Hill Road in Union prompted responses from firefighters and equipment from Union and five mutual aid towns just after midnight Friday.

Union Fire Chief Barry Norris said a fire at the unoccupied home of Barbara and John F. Worden was reported by Union firefighter Randy Scott, who lives next door. Norris said Scott came home at midnight and saw fire and flames coming from the side of the 1-1/2-story Cape with dormer.

"The house is tucked up in a blueberry barren, and it would take a while for someone to see the fire due to the location," said Norris. He said the home is about 1400 feet off Route 17 on the dead end Marrs Hill Road.

Norris said the family home, which dates back to the early 1900s and has been in the family for a long time, was likely damaged beyond repair.

"It got a good start before it was discovered, fire had burned through the side of the house by the time we got there," said Norris Saturday. "I'm not sure if they were renovating or what, but the owners live on Woods Road and used the home to store antiques. I have not been able to reach them to talk to them about it yet."

Norris said Monday morning the cause of the fire was faulty wiring at the back of the house, as he was able to determine early where it started and how it traveled.

"It doesn't appear to be suspicious," Norris also said Saturday.

Firefighters and equipment from Appleton, Warren, Washington, Hope and Waldoboro responded along with Union Fire Department. Also on scene was Sterling Ambulance, with Union Ambulance joining later as they were on a run to Pen Bay Medical Center at the time of the fire call.

The first mutual aid tankers were released from the scene beginning around 2:30 or 3 a.m. Saturday, with the remaining units clearing by 6:30 a.m. Norris said after cleaning up the station, Union firefighters were headed back to their homes around 7 a.m.

Norris said there were no injuries or major issues at the fire overnight. He said nearly every firefighter that showed up last night was sent inside the building to fight the fire.

"We worked outside to slow it and knock it down and cool it off, then assessed what we had and began sending people inside to finish it," said Norris. Water was trucked in from the hydrant at Come Spring and Route 17, using Warren's dump tank. A thermal imaging camera was used to look for hot spots, said Norris.

He said the house sustained heavy fire damage to the rear of the first and second floors, with heavy water damage to the front on both floors.

"It's likely going to have to be torn down," said Norris.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.