MILLINOCKET, Maine — Crews worked for hours Tuesday to extinguish a fire that destroyed a barn and significantly damaged a house in Millinocket.
The call to 3 Station Rd. came in around 8 a.m., the Millinocket Fire Department said in a release. The Maine Forest Service responded to assist, along with fire departments from East Millinocket, Medway, Lincoln, Howland, Mattawamkeag, and Sherman.
Upon arrival, crews found a barn fully involved in flames, and the flames were spreading to the nearby home, according to the release.
Two horses died in the fire, the release stated. No humans were injured.
The barn is a complete loss, and there's significant damage to the home, the fire department said.
Officials determined that the fire was caused by a horse water tank heater shorting out and spreading into the outside walls of the barn.
The scene was cleared around 2:30 p.m., according to the fire department.
Officials said the Brownville Fire Department, East Millinocket Police Department, Millinocket Public Works, Penobscot Regional Communications Center, Versant Power, Glidden Farms, and Maine Water also assisted with the incident.
"Thank you to local businesses, community members, and organizations who provided food and refreshments to firefighters on scene: Red Knights, Knives Edge Brewery Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Circle K, and Katahdin General," the release stated.
The fire department also urged Mainers to install working smoke alarms and test them regularly.