THOMASTON – A fire that began in the laundry room destroyed a couple’s house and barn Wednesday night.

Jerry and Phyllis Burrell reported the fire at their home at 16 Dunbar Road at 7:39 p.m., Fire Capt. Jamie Leo reported Thursday.

The couple were alerted by a smell coming from the laundry room, Leo said. When they investigated, they found the fire. They tried to extinguish it themselves, but were unable, he said.

Though firefighters were on the scene in about 10 minutes, the blaze had already destroyed the ell in which the laundry room was located and the attached barn, Leo said. The main house – an older, 21/2-story farmhouse – was engulfed when they arrived, he said.

“When we got there, the barn and ell were nearly flat,” Leo said.

The Burrells were able to get out of the house unharmed. The home was insured against fire, he said.

Thomaston was assisted by Rockland and Warren fire departments. In all, about 40 firefighters responded, Leo said.

None of the firefighters were injured. The departments left shortly after midnight, he said.

Further investigation of the cause of the blaze Thursday confirmed that it began in the dryer, Leo said.

“We ruled it to be electrical,” he said.