Arundel woman trapped in smoke-filled burning home rescued by firefighters
ARUNDEL, Maine — Firefighters rescued a 71-year-old woman from her smoke-filled home during a fire in her basement in the early hours of Sunday, March 19.
Biddeford Dispatch took a 9-1-1 call about a smoke-filled home from a resident at 64 Limerick Road in Arundel at 2:18 a.m. Dispatchers alerted Arundel Fire-Rescue, which responded to the scene alongside Kennebunk Fire Rescue, which provided mutual aid.
In a news release, Kennebunk Fire Rescue Chief Justin Cooper, who joined the Arundel first responders, said that the Biddeford dispatcher remained on the line with the resident and offered her reassurance.
“Information was constantly being relayed to responders about her location in the residence and that she was trapped,” Cooper said.
Firefighters were hit with jet-black smoke from the floor to ceiling once they entered the home from the front door, according to Cooper. While the crew stretched the fire hose from the engine to the home, Arundel firefighter Zach Audet and Cooper entered the home and quickly removed the resident.
“The dispatcher could still be heard reassuring the victim as crews were removing her,” Cooper said.
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Cooper said Arundel firefighter Steve Speckin helped him carry the woman down the front steps and get her to a safe place as the crews began to attack the fire.
Arundel and Kennebunk Fire Capt. Nate Howe and his crew then entered the home with the hose line and found a basement fire.
In addition to Kennebunk Fire Rescue, Goodwin Mill Fire-Rescue, Kennebunkport Emergency Medical Services, and Kennebunkport Engine all provided aid at the scene, according to Cooper.
“The fire was quickly extinguished,” Cooper said.
Crews rapidly searched the rest of the house and found no other victims.
The resident was brought to Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and treated for smoke inhalation.
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According to Cooper, the cause of the fire initially appears to be from the heating system. The state fire marshal has been contacted and is investigating the incident.
Cooper said there were not any working smoke detectors in the home.
“The Fire Department urges all residents to ensure they have working smoke detectors throughout their residences,” he added.
Cooper said the incident shows the importance of the region’s emergency response system, from the dispatcher, “who was able to gather the information and relay it to responders,” to the automatic mutual system that is in place and is reinforced by monthly training for crews in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Firefighters rescue Arundel woman trapped in burning home
