CHELSEA, Maine — Charred wooden window panels, wrecked roofing, and metal slates are what remain after a building and several sheds caught fire Sunday at New England Rent to Own in Chelsea, and despite the total loss, owners said they are still committing to giving.
Well before being hit with the unexpected tragedy, company owners made a commitment to donate a new mobile home to an essay contest winner.
Co-owner Bobby Miller said the current housing crisis in Maine leaves people who can't afford to buy a home with few options. After analyzing the company's resources, Miller said he and his co-owner Jeremy Turner decided to be a blessing to a family in need.
"There's a lot of people out there that even though there's a big need for housing, and we all need it, they can't necessarily afford it," Miller said.
For many businesses, experiencing a total loss in a fire might've derailed plans to give.
One building and an estimated 10 sheds were destroyed in the fire. The state fire marshal's office said the fire started in the part of the company's warehouse where lithium batteries were being stored.
While riding in the car with friends and family on the way home from church on Sunday, New England Rent to Own General Manager Jon Henderson said a pillar of smoke in the air caught his eye.
"We were talking back and forth and I said, 'Man, I just feel really bad for whoever's house that is,'" Henderson said. "And as we were getting closer, it started to dawn on me, and I said, 'Uh oh, that's probably where I work."
Henderson said it took about 10 minutes for everything to be destroyed by the flames.
The business was closed on Sunday, and there was no staff at the site at the time. No one was injured, but employees returned to work after a long Memorial Day weekend to destruction.
"We had some customers that had their buildings inside the building done and completed, and they were supposed to be delivered today," Henderson said. "The staff would usually work in the main manufacturing facility. We were very blessed and lucky that there was nobody here at the time that this happened. You can always replace the products. We can always rebuild. What you can't replace is the people. The people are our most valuable asset in the company."
Many assets were destroyed, but owners and managers said they were not derailed.
"I think it's kind of reassuring to our staff to let them know we're putting together a plan for them," Miller said.
Some 25-30 permanent employees will keep working and rebuilding, working normal hours. Miller said they have a few contracted employees who work at the site as well.
He explained it was too early to determine how much revenue was lost in the fire or to share a clear, detailed plan for how the company will rebuild.
Miller added that his priority is to keep taking care of his staff. Despite the losses, Miller said the company will keep its word to support a family in need with a mobile home.
"I think with any business that suffers a fire, it's an unforeseen setback, but our goal to give away a home is not going to change because of the fire," Miller said.
Henderson recalled his first thoughts when Turner brought the idea to have a mobile home giveaway to him.
"You know, as GM, my first mind was like, 'How are we going to even pay for that,' and he was like, 'We'll figure it out. We're going to do it,'" Henderson said. "It's what needs to happen, because of just how desperate the situations are out there. Maine is in a crisis right now. Maine is in a housing crisis."
Henderson said several people have sent in essays to enter the contest, and that the stories people have been sharing with them have been heartbreaking.
Miller and other leadership said they are committed to filling the need.
"That's just something we believe into our bones. You know, if we set a goal in place we're not going to change the path," Miller said.
While counting their blessings, they'll be preparing to return the favor to one lucky family. Owners and managers said they're hoping to be able to grant the winning family with the new mobile home by October or sometime later this year.
"The fact that this happened on a day that we were closed is a blessing for sure," Henderson said. "At the end of the day, somebody's going to get that, and it's going to be a huge blessing to that person."
New England Rent to Own is still accepting essays for the contest. Check below for instructions on how to enter.
How to enter the contest:
To enter, click this link and upload either an essay or video to the drop box.
For a virtual tour of the home, click here.
Qualifications:
Video submissions must be five minutes or less. If you are submitting an essay, the essay must be three pages or less. You must show proof of residency with a photo ID. If you win the contest, the mobile home must be delivered to a Maine address or location. You must have existing land with a slab to accommodate the new home.
The contest entry will close once the company reaches 1,000 submissions. The deadline to enter the contest is Sept. 1, 2024.