Child with matches destroys home

BROWNVILLE – A 6-year-old child who had been playing with matches caused a fire Saturday evening that destroyed a large home and attached barn on Russell Road, according to a state fire official.

Luther Farley, 41, his wife, Wendy, 36, and their 10 children, ages 11/2 to 17, were left homeless after a blaze leveled their two-story home, which also housed their business. The fire also demolished a large attached barn and two outbuildings, according to investigator Scott Richardson of the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

Richardson said the fire started at about 7:30 p.m. in an upstairs bedroom where the child had been playing with matches.

Wendy Farley said Sunday that the family was “very thankful” that everyone got out of the house safely. “We truly appreciate all that the Fire Department did,” she said. The family spent Saturday night and Sunday at Beech Ridge Camps in Brownville. They have no relatives in the region, she said.

A representative of the American Red Cross met with the family on Sunday to offer assistance. Mike Henderson, director of emergency service for the Pine Tree chapter, said Sunday that the agency would provide whatever help was needed such as shelter, clothing and food.

Richardson said the family had attempted to extinguish the flames, but they quickly spread. Wendy Farley suffered burns on her arms and was taken to Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft and was treated and released, he said.

Five firefighters from Brownville and a similar number from Milo responded to the 911 call. Fewer Brownville firefighters than normal were available to answer the call because four firefighters were in Caribou for the weekend to learn how to use a thermal imaging camera.

The house was in flames when firefighters were notified of the 911 call, according to Jeff Smith, assistant Brownville fire chief. Smith said the fire was so hot when firefighters arrived that they had to pump water onto the home from a distance of up to 40 feet.

“It had a good head start,” Smith said Sunday.

The family lost all of their belongings, including a home-based Internet video sales business. There was no insurance coverage for the loss. Family members were able to save an assortment of farm animals before the fire consumed the barn.