BOWDOINHAM

A family is safe but without a home after the house they were renting was destroyed by a fire Wednesday night.

Firefighters were called to 508 Browns Point Road in Bowdoinham at 5:30 p.m. for a report of a front porch on fire, believed by a tenant to have been sparked by some hot ashes. 

Jennifer Casoni was home with her two children and noticed the flames in front of the home, called 911 and got the children out of the house. Her husband Matthew Casoni was on his way home from work.

Water had to be hauled to the scene, which was not near any hydrants and located near agricultural fields on the unpaved portion of Browns Point Road. Firefighters from Bowdoin, Richmond, Dresden, Lisbon and Topsham responded to aid Bowdoinham.

Bowdoinham Fire Chief Arthur Frizzle said when crews arrived on scene there was heavy smoke and flames showing from the small camp-style structure built on stilts. Firefighters gained access to the open space below the house helping fuel the fire, and found the fire was originating near a water heater due to an electrical problem. 

Fortunately the fire was quickly knocked down but an extensive overhaul was needed to make sure any hidden pockets of fire were extinguished. The fire was hit with water from below the house and crews had to cut holes in the floor to get to the hot spots. 

The house is a total loss, Frizzle said, though the family should be able to recover some personal property. The chief doesn’t believe they had renters insurance. The Mid Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross was called to help the Casoni family, which also has family in the area.

Firefighters cleared the scene at around 9 p.m. Frizzle said the house is owned by George Christopher.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Casoni family, at http://www.gofundme.com/n90558.