July 21, 2012

Investigators: Mount Vernon fire that destroyed vacant home was intentionally set

By Craig Crosby ccrosby@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

MOUNT VERNON -- A fire that destroyed a vacant home Friday morning on Pond Road was set intentionally, according to investigators.

click image to enlarge

Contributed photo

Contributed photo

Mount Vernon Fire Chief Dana Dunn said nobody was hurt in the fire, which had engulfed the two-story home by the time firefighters arrived.

"It was a vacant house," Dunn said, adding he was unsure of the address. "Right now we're not even sure who owns it."

Sgt. Ken Grimes of the State Fire Marshal's Office said investigators are trying to determine who set the fire. There was no electricity to the building.

"It looks like a set fire," he said.

A passer-by reported the fire around 5:15 a.m., Dunn said. About 30 firefighters from Readfield, Fayette, Wayne, Manchester, Vienna and Belgrade helped Mount Vernon firefighters battle the blaze. Winthrop Ambulance and Mount Vernon Rescue also responded.

Dunn said it took about an hour to get the fire under control. Firefighters remained on scene until 10 a.m.

The flames leveled the house.

Neighbor Tina Cagle, who lives at 1155 Pond Road, said the man who lived in the house died several years ago.

"The house has been abandoned since then," she said.

Grimes asked anyone with information about the cause of the fire to call the State Fire Marshal's Office at 626-3870 or 624-7076.

"It's a community effort, and we'd love to have everyone's help," Grimes said.

Craig Crosby -- 621-5642

ccrosby@centralmaine.com

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