Mars Hill fire leaves 13 homeless

MARS HILL – Thirteen people were left homeless Tuesday morning after a fire ripped through an apartment building where they were residing on U.S. Route 1.

The blaze was reported at the two-story building on 22 Benjamin St. just before 7:30 a.m. The structure was owned by Frank Draus of Houlton and was occupied by four families, including seven adults and six children. Draus had no insurance and the building was considered a total loss. Fire officials were still assessing damage Tuesday evening.

Two individuals, whose names were unavailable, were treated at The Aroostook Medical Center for smoke inhalation and released.

Mars Hill Fire Chief Arthur London said Tuesday afternoon that investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are trying to determine the cause of the blaze.

According to the chief, the four apartments were being rented by Joseph Donnelly, Larry Donnelly, Rebecca Munson and Jesus Paig.

London was not sure where the fire broke out or who

discovered it. He said the heaviest area of burn was above the furnace, which was on the first floor of the building.

The Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross was responding Tuesday afternoon, and the families, with the exception of Paig, were being housed temporarily at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center. Paig has found temporary shelter in Houlton, according to London.

Crews were on the scene for more than seven hours, and fighting the inferno in the frigid weather and windy conditions was an “uphill battle,” according to London. Temperatures hovered around 21 degrees Fahrenheit throughout much of the day.

“We were trying to keep the firefighters from getting frostbite, and to keep the [water lines] from freezing up,” he said. “It was hard. Their gloves were freezing right on their hands.”

Larry Hutchinson, branch manager for the Pine Tree Chapter of the Red Cross, said Tuesday that the organization would continue to work with the affected families.

Donations are being accepted for those affected by the fire. To make a donation, call the Pine Tree Chapter at 762-5671.