The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of a fire Tuesday on Sebasticook Drive in Clinton that left a family of four homeless and destroyed most of their belongings, according to Clinton Fire Chief Travis Leary.

The fire, reported at 8:09 p.m. Tuesday, apparently started in a back bedroom of the single-story, wood frame home, though Leary said it was unknown as of Wednesday afternoon just where it started in that room.

“We’re ruling it accidental,” he said.

A mother and two boys were at home when the fire started and were able to get out of the house, Leary said. Another adult who lived at the home was not there, he said. He declined to identify the family by name.

No one was injured in the fire, he said.

About 20 firefighters from Clinton, Fairfield and Winslow worked quickly to extinguish the fire, according to Leary. Waterville firefighters covered the Clinton Fire Station, Leary said.

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“The guys did a great job — they got right in and knocked it down,” Leary said of the fire. “It was probably knocked down in 15 minutes.”

It was cold and the roads were slippery because of freezing rain Tuesday night, according to Leary. He said Central Maine Power Co. and Clinton police were at the scene, and the Red Cross was notified of the fire.

The family had a Christmas tree up, but most of the presents were in the basement, so some were OK, but some were damaged by water, according to Leary.

“There was heat and smoke damage throughout the whole house,” he said.

A man who answered the phone at the state Fire Marshal’s Office late Wednesday afternoon said those who could comment on the fire were out in the field, but he took a message requesting one return a call.

Firefighters cleared the scene just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to Leary, who said the house, which was insured, probably was built in the 1970s.

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Sebasticook Drive is off Pleasant Street in Clinton.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @AmyCalder17


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