St. Francis Fire Extensively Damages Home, Post Office Saved

A St. Francis, Maine man was awakened in the early morning hours Saturday just in time to escape a fire that destroyed his home.

About a dozen St. Francis firefighters responded shortly before 3:00 a.m. to the 2-story building on Main Street which also houses the St. Francis Post Office. Together with firefighters from Fort Kent and Allagash they were able to bring the blaze under control in about 20 minutes.

St. Francis Fire Chief Gerald Jandreau tells the Fiddlehead Focus that the homeowner was nearly struck by a live electric wire that fell to the ground as he fled the building. The man was the only one inside when the fire broke out.

Jandreau said the blaze originated outside the building in the back. The cause remains under investigation.

The post office, which rents space in the front of the building, sustained some smoke damage and will likely will be operational following an electrical inspection, The Fiddlehead Focus reports.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross were helping the man Saturday with immediate needs such as food, a safe place to stay and other essentials.