PITTSTON — A Nash Road barn was heavily damaged by fire Friday, but a nearby house was spared because of the quick work of firefighters who battled freezing cold as well as flames.

No people and or animals were injured, said Pittston Fire Chief Jason Farris. The property is owned by David and Rebecca Symes.

The blaze was reported at 3:10 p.m. by passers-by, one of whom was able to save a tractor by moving it outside.

Farris said going to into a burning building to remove something is dangerous.

“It worked this time, wouldn’t encourage people to do that,” he said.

Almost three dozen firefighters spent more than five hours at the scene on Friday. “We think it got started with a heater that keeps water warm so horses can drink it,” Farris said.

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With temperatures in the single digits, firefighters worked in shifts, taking breaks to warm up in a cab in the back of a special hazards truck. Farris said it felt well below zero with the wind chill.

“The gear was so frozen you could take it off and it would stand up,” Farris said.

He said a sand truck was called and continually sanded the roads.

The barn was used for storage of the tractor, a camper and a truck as well as animals. All the animals got out.

Pittston firefighters were training at the station when the call came in and were able to respond immediately with a couple of trucks.

Farris said they found the barn fully engulfed when they arrive and fire spreading to the outside of the house.

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“One truck attacked the house and one attacked the barn,” he said. “It was a great save. We were able to keep house damage just to the exterior siding.”

He said they had a limited water supply until mutual aid companies could arrive and begin to shuttle water for them.

Departments assisting Pittston were from Alna, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Randolph, West Gardiner, and Whitefield.

He said Pittston firefighters would be back at the station Saturday morning to clean their gear once it thawed overnight in the warm station.

Betty Adams — 621-5631badams@centralmaine.comTwitter: @betadams


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