JAY, Maine — The state fire marshal's office is investigating the cause of a large fire that displaced 10 people and killed several pets at a six-unit apartment building in Jay Tuesday night.
Three firefighters also received minor injuries.
At around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, crews responded to the area of Jewell Street. It took 63 firefighters from eight departments until around 1:30 a.m. to put out the fire, which also destroyed three cars and damaged a neighboring property, Jay Fire and Rescue Chief Mike Booker said Wednesday. The flames then reignited at around 3:30 a.m., leading crews to return to the scene until they left before 6 a.m.
All 10 tenants in the building managed to escape without injuries, Booker said, something he calls "very rare" for a fire of that magnitude.
"They're very lucky to get out as quick as they did," Booker added.
Immediately, neighbors and local businesses began gathering donations for those impacted by the fire. Gigi's Pizzaroni, an establishment just down the street from the fire, offered free meals to victims and accepted a steady stream of donations in the back room throughout Wednesday.
"We can drag this out for months if the victims need it," Erica Poland, who owns the restaurant, said.
By evening time, tables in the restaurant were full of clothes, toiletries, and other goods. A victim of the fire stopped by around dinnertime to take some of the donations, saying the outfit she was wearing was her only one.
"It feels wonderful to see everyone rally together to help these families," Poland said.
