Fire on Grimes Mill Road in Caribou Leaves Family Homeless

A fire Wednesday afternoon at a home in Caribou kept firefighters busy well into the evening, as strong winds fanned the flames and smoke.

The Caribou Fire Department responded to the call at 341 Grimes Mill Road around 3:20 p.m. and arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. The family and their dog had already managed to escape unharmed.

Caribou Firefighter Adam Chartier told our newsroom that high winds made it difficult for crews to fight the fire, and reduced visibility due to the amount of smoke. Caribou received mutual aid with tankers and crews from Fort Fairfield and Limestone Fire Departments, while Presque Isle Fire Department covered the Caribou station.

Chartier said crews used 36,000 gallons of water to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters were on scene until about 8:30 Wednesday evening.

No one was injured in the fire. The home was a total loss. The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause.

The couple and their children are staying with relatives