Medway mobile home destroyed by fire

MEDWAY – A malfunctioning heating pad left unattended sparked a fire that destroyed a mobile home on the Town Road, firefighters said Wednesday.

No one was injured, but a man was left homeless.

Resident Edwin York was next door working in his auto-body shop about 2 p.m. Tuesday when he noticed smoke coming from his trailer, which is some 500 feet from the town office.

He called 911, said Assistant Fire Chief Greg Hale.

When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke throughout the trailer, but the fire was contained largely to the living room area, Hale said.

Firefighters attacked the flames and called for mutual aid. The East Millinocket Fire Department arrived several minutes later, but the trailer could not be saved, said East Millinocket firefighter Peter Larlee.

“With those old trailers, if you have a fire in them, there’s not much you can do,” Hale said.

An investigator from the State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire’s cause, tracing the fire to the heating pad, which was on a couch. The investigator ruled the fire accidental, Hale said.

Eighteen firefighters from both towns responded.