Update: Wood stove likely cause of Morrison Hill Road fire

[UPDATE 12:46 PM] – The fire at a 167 Morrison Hill Road residence is believed to have started around the wood stove, Farmington Fire Chief Terry Bell said Friday afternoon.

Crews from four towns spent the morning fighting a blaze that gutted a two-story residence on the Morrison Hill Road, after receiving the call at roughly 8:19 a.m. Bell was not aware who specifically called the fire into 9-1-1, although resident Hollis Rackliffe was the only one home at the time. Rackliffe reported seeing fire around his chimney on the second floor, although the stove is the likely origin point, Bell said.

Rackliffe was checked out by NorthStar EMS personnel at the scene for possible smoke inhalation, but was not transported. Red Cross has indicated they are providing some of his short-term needs and will connect Rackliffe to other local services.

The most challenging aspect of the blaze was the high winds, Bell said, which pushed thick plumes of smoke around the property. “We couldn’t see what we were doing with all the smoke,” Bell said.

The building itself was not insured, Bell said.

In addition to Wilton, Temple and Jay, Strong and Chesterville assisted by sending crews to cover Farmington while their equipment was on the Morrison Hill Road. NorthStar EMS and Farmington Police Department was also at the scene, as was Central Maine Power. Crews cleared roughly four hours after they arrived.

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WEST FARMINGTON – A two-story house was badly damaged by fire Friday morning, with high winds whipping thick smoke down the Morrison Hill Road.

The fire at 167 Morrison Hill Road was reported to first responders at approximately 8:19 a.m. The resident, Hollis Rackliffe, reported seeing flames around the chimney on the second floor, although it is not yet clear if that is where the fire started.

Farmington Fire Rescue immediately responded to the scene. Other responding units included Wilton, Temple and Jay, which sent its rapid intervention team. Strong and Chesterville fire responded and covered the Farmington station while local equipment was at the Morrison Hill Road address. NorthStar EMS and Farmington Police Department were also on the scene.

A particularly large amount of thick, dark smoke was driven from the fire up Morrison Hill Road by strong winds, mostly blocking sight of flames and occasionally the house itself.

The American Red Cross has announced that it will be working with Rackliffe to coordinate food, shelter and other essentials in the short-term.

This post will be updated when additional information becomes available.