Clifton house fire was set intentionally, official says

CLIFTON – An early-morning house fire Thursday on Route 9 was set intentionally while one person was inside, according to state fire officials.

Firefighters could see that the fire was no accident when they arrived on the scene at 3:30 a.m., according to Sgt. Stu Jacobs of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“It was clear to them that it was intentionally set,” Jacobs said Thursday.

No one was injured, according to Alan Boynton, Eddington fire chief.

One person was inside the single-family home when the fire started and called for help, Jacobs said. The individual got out safely.

The house is owned by the nearby R. Leon Williams Lumber Co., Jacobs said.

Though difficult to locate, the fire caused minimal damage to the home, Boynton said.

“[Firefighters] had a hard time finding the fire,” which eventually was located at the rear of the house, Boynton said.

Firefighters remained on scene for several hours Thursday, Jacobs said.

Crews from Eddington, Dedham, Holden and Brewer, along with Maine State Police, went to the fire, the fire chief said.

Anyone who regularly travels that area of Route 9 and saw any activity early Thursday morning is asked to call the state police barracks in Orono at 866-2121.