HOPE — The wind was a big factor in fighting a fire at 21 Robbins Road, in Hope, Wednesday morning, according to Fire Chief Clarence Keller. The crew is fortunate, however, that things did not get out of hand. 

When evacuation was deemed a necessity, the occupant of the house managed to carry one dog to safety. A second dog was carried out by a firefighter, and the family cat rode out the incident on its own. All three animals are fine, according to Keller.

Keller has an idea of what may have caused the 6:30 a.m., October 27, fire that drew firefighters from Hope, Lincolnville, and Camden, but he’s waiting for confirmation from the Fire Marshal’s Office. It does not appear suspicious, he said, but would not elaborate further.

All in all, Keller stated how fortunate the area is for having a quick-responding mutual aid partnership. It was with them that his crew were able to make “such a good stop.”

HOPE — Hope Fire Department and its mutual aid responded to a structure fire, Wednesday morning, Oct. 27, 2021.

Knox Regional Communications Center received a report of fire at 21 Robbins Road just after 6:30 a.m.

Fire fighters from Hope, Lincolnville, and Camden responded to the call, which occurred in the midst of a three-day rainstorm that battered the area. The Lincolnville responders were already out, having just finished dealing with a powerline across a road in their town. From there, they went to Hope, where several of their crew immediately set to work establishing water supply about half a mile from the scene.

Residents and pets of the house evacuated safely as the fire spread upwards around an exterior wall, from the first floor to the second.

The last remaining personnel were released from the scene by 8:15 a.m.

The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.