Man escapes Brewer house fire, treated for smoke inhalation

BREWER – A house fire early Monday sent a man to the hospital for smoke inhalation and left the home in “tough shape” but not destroyed, fire officials said.

Andrew Hewes was sleeping when he was awakened by the fire and managed to get out before fire crews arrived around 4:50 a.m. A passer-by reported the fire at 52 Mill St. to the Orrington Fire Department, believing that he had not yet crossed the Brewer line, Brewer Fire Chief Rick Bronson said.

Brewer firefighters were then called and were joined by Holden crews, with Eddington firefighters covering Brewer’s fire station. Brewer fire cres remained until after 9:30 a.m., chasing hot spots in the attic.

“The whole back of the house was on fire when we got there,” Assistant Fire Chief Chris Dore said. Hewes, who was waiting in a car when firefighters arrived, was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for smoke inhalation and was later released.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation Monday afternoon. It is suspected to have started in the basement boiler room. Bronson said the homeowner told him he has insurance.

Hewes was involved in another fire at his home six months ago that occurred when his recreational vehicle, a 1972 Winnebego, caught fire when he was attempting to start it.