FIREFIGHTERS SAVE YORK HARBOR HOUSE. An early-morning fire on Jan. 13 caused an estimated $30,000 to this historic York Street home in York Harbor, but firefighters are relieved they were able to keep the blaze from spreading to the main portion of the house, and potentially facing a fire on the order of one that destroyed a York Harbor oceanfront mansion several years ago. York Fire Chief Chris Balentine explained that a resident awoke to the smell of smoke just as an early-morning jogger was passing the house and knocked on a neighbor's door to report the fire shortly before 3 a.m. on Sunday. The fire was in one end of the ell portion of the house, which is connected to the main house. "The fire had gained considerable headway on the one-story portion of that ell," Balentine said, with flames breaking through the roof. However, he added, "We were able to keep it from getting into the main house." Smoke and fire damage are estimated at more than $30,000. The cause is believed to be accidental, with Deputy Chief Dave Apgar still looking into electrical wiring as a possible cause. Balentine said no one was injured in the blaze. York and York Beach Fire Departments responded to the scene, with station coverage provided by Kittery and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Photo by Steve Rasche