Quick thinking limits damage in Brewer fire

BREWER — Fire caused minor damage to a contracting business Tuesday after a stack of foam board insulation piled too close to a halogen light ignited.

Quick thinking on the part of the owner’s son likely limited the damage to a portion of the walls and ceiling in Mid-State Contractors’ garage, according to Lt. Brent Melvin of the Brewer Fire Department. He said Keith Kingsbury had been working on his truck when he noticed flames, grabbed a fire extinguisher and brought the flaming boards outside on a forklift.

“He definitely bought us some time to get here and put [the fire] out,” said Melvin, whose crew arrived at the scene about 3:45 p.m.

Located on Sparks Avenue, the business is owned by Kingsbury’s father, Hayward Kingsbury.

Firefighters found heavy smoke, but no flames inside the building, according to Brewer firefighter Lt. Mark Call who said a dangerous situation was averted.