Presque Isle fire damages Winter Street rooming house

PRESQUE ISLE — Occupants of a rooming house at 42 Winter St. were left homeless after a fire that began about 2:30 p.m. Thursday damaged the building. The fire was started by overheated grease on a stove.

Deputy Fire Chief Carl Smith said roomers in the upstairs of the Winter Street dwelling would be out of the house until wiring was replaced.

The fire started on the first floor of the house where owner Fernald Martin lived with his family. That section of the house was damaged extensively and most of the contents were destroyed, Smith said. Heavy smoke also damaged upstairs rooms.

Water thrown on the grease caused the fire to spread, Smith said.

A total of 29 firefighters responded to the fire with two engines, a ladder truck. Another vehicle stayed at the scene for about 1 1/2 hours.

About 15 minutes after responding to the fire at the rooming house, the Fire Department was called to a chimney fire at the residence of Gerald Michaud at 9 Fort Road.

No injuries were reported at either fire.