GARDINER, Maine — A firefighter walking near the ridgepole on a roof narrowly escaped when the roofing beneath him gave way Wednesday.
CentralMaine.com reported that the home was destroyed by a fast-moving fire that took crews several hours to extinguish. When the roof gave way beneath the firefighter, flames erupted around him. The firefighter, who was injured, was able to get away safely and back onto a ladder with help from fellow firefighters.
“It was scary,” Fire Chief Al Nelson said.
No one was home when the fire broke out. Chief Nelson said the three-story home is a total loss.
Officials are unsure how the fire started, but said it appeared to have originated near the back of the house.
Firefighters from five other towns helped the Gardiner (Maine) Fire Department fight the fire.