Stockton Springs fire leaves family homeless

STOCKTON SPRINGS – The Diane Seekins family was left homeless when fire ripped through their home Monday.

Seekins and her two children were away from their Seaport Street home when the fire was reported at 8:45 a.m. by a passing firefighter who was out plowing snow. The firefighter noticed smoke pouring from the building, according to Fire Chief Harry Patterson.

Patterson said the fire apparently started in a second-floor bedroom, spread throughout much of the structure’s upper floor and broke through the roof. The department had an ample supply of firefighters, equipment and water, but found the fire difficult to overcome at first because it had spread into false walls and between dormers.

“We have plenty of water and plenty of help,” Patterson said.

The two Seekins children, 13-year-old Christopher and 11-year-old Jessie, were at school in Searsport when the fire was detected.

A co-worker of Seekins’ who was at the scene said he was giving her a ride home when they drove down the street and saw her home on fire. Seekins and her children have family in the area and will stay with relatives.

Fire units from Searsport and Prospect assisted the Stockton Springs department in putting out the blaze.