York Town News
Early morning blaze destroys garage, classic car
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - A Birch Hill Road residence was saved from damage early Tuesday morning thanks to a concerned passerby and the work of local firefighters.York Fire Department Chief Chris Balentine confirmed that the emergency call to a structure fire at 154 Birch Hill Road came at just around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12, after an individual rang the doorbell to alert the home's sleeping residents that their detached garage was on fire.
York and York Beach Fire Departments responded to the scene, with mutual aid assistance at the scene and providing station coverage from Ogunquit, Kittery, Eliot and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
"The house, which was nearby, was saved from damage by the actions of the firefighters putting water and foam on the vinyl siding," Balentine said, explaining the siding material is sensitive to extreme heat, and the proximity of the blaze could have caused substantial damage to the house as well.
As it was, Balentine said, the blaze destroyed the garage, a 1985 Corvette stored within it, two garden tractors and other yard equipment. Preliminary estimates indicate the damage to be in the vicinity of $80,000, he said.
The fire does not appear to be suspicious at this time, Balentine said, with the investigation continuing as Deputy Chief David Apgar and insurance personnel will evaluate the damage at the scene.
No injuries were reported.
