Palmyra family loses home, contents in fire Owner able to rescue two dogs just in time

PALMYRA – Amanda Morrill put her wet laundry in the dryer Monday afternoon, then left her Gale Road home for a quick visit to her grandmother in St. Albans.

Moments later, Morrill received a phone call from a neighbor who had spotted smoke coming from Morrill’s mobile home.

“I drove back here about 80 miles an hour,” a tearful and barefoot Morrill said as she watched firefighters work. “The flames were coming out of the bathroom window and the back door.”

She was able to rescue her two dogs before the mobile home was engulfed in flames. Morrill and her two sons, ages 9 and 6, lost everything, including a pet turtle that died in the fire. They were not insured.

Untouched, however, is their new home under construction only about 25 feet from the burned-out structure.

“We didn’t think we would be moving in until around June,” Morrill said. “It has no insulation and only a temporary electrical service.”

Firefighters from St. Albans and Hartland drew water from a nearby pond to fight the fire, which was located about a mile down the dirt road.

The narrow road was clogged with emergency equipment so the SAD 48 bus held Morrill’s sons at the end of the road until relatives could claim them.

St. Albans Fire Chief David Crocker said the fire was centered on the area of both the dryer and the furnace. “We will continue to investigate,” he said.

As the walls collapsed on the mobile home, the reality of her loss struck Morrill. “Oh, the Christmas songs that Grammie taped,” she cried.

“We have copies,” a group of family and friends surrounding her assured her.

“All the kids’ school pictures,” she said.

“We’ll make more,” a friend answered.

As she looked down on her bare feet, Morrill laughed through her tears. “I only have flip-flops now,” she said.