SPRINGVALE — Firefighters battled a late-afternoon blaze at 43 Payne St. in the Springvale village sector of Sanford that left the home severely damaged and a family homeless on Monday.

Sanford Assistant Fire Chief Steve Cutter said fire crews were called to the scene just before about 5:20 p.m. on Monday and had exited the fire truck and had just begun their initial work when the intensity of the fire increased.

Ryan Guillemette and his mother Susan were the only ones of the family of five who were at home at the time when he saw smoke and flames emanating from under the closed laundry room door. He then notified his mother, who was in a bedroom with the door shut, and the two ran for safety.

They both got out of the house uninjured.

On Tuesday morning, Susan Guillemette was watching as contractors boarded up the home she shares with her husband Shawn and their three children.

Had it not been for Ryan, the outcome might have been very different, Cutter said.

“They’re really lucky they were able to get out,” said Cutter by phone on Tuesday morning. “The fire was really traveling,” he said. “The fire really took off.”

He said the firefighters were able to leave the scene at about 8:45 p.m.

According to Cutter, the fire originated in the laundry room, and he said investigators believe an appliance is involved, but they are still investigating.

Sanford assessing records reveal that the two-story New Englander-style home with a porch running the length of the building and an addition at the back dates to 1860.

Cutter said there is a lot of damage inside the home and it is not currently habitable. There is fire damage in the rear of the house where the laundry room and kitchen are located, he said, and heavy heat and smoke damage throughout.

Lebanon firefighters assisted the Sanford Fire Department at the scene and North Berwick Rescue was on hand to provide assistance. Alfred, Kennebunk and North Berwick fire departments provided station coverage.

Susan Guillemette said she and her family have lived in the home for 14 years.

She pointed to the second story window, just before it was to be boarded up and said that her daughter had bought a new bed and had hung new curtains in the windows just a few days before.

The family stayed with friends Monday night and have family in the area. They’ve been in touch with their insurance agency and are awaiting their next steps.

“We’re devastated,” Susan Guillemette said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.