The mobile home at 41 Marks Road in Albion shows the damage caused Sunday afternoon after a woman inadvertently started a fire while using a kerosene space heater to thaw pipes under the dwelling. Photo contributed by Deputy Chief Shawn Esler, Albion Fire Department

ALBION — A woman who was using a kerosene space heater Sunday afternoon to thaw pipes under her mobile home in Albion inadvertently started a fire that damaged the dwelling enough that she will be displaced until it is repaired, according to a fire official.

About a dozen Albion firefighters and about eight others from Winslow, China, Fairfield and Freedom responded to the fire at the older single-wide mobile home at 41 Marks Road, according to Deputy Chief Shawn Esler of the Albion Fire Department.

The home is reportedly owned by Sarah Erving.

“We are ruling the fire accidental,” Esler said. “She was doing the best she could, but accidents do happen, and we were fortunate to be able to get called and get there quickly to help extinguish the fire.”

Esler, who is also the new state fire marshal, said the kerosene space heater was positioned too close to combustible material under the trailer.

“It likely caught insulation on fire, which was spread throughout the underside of the trailer, and, eventually, up the side of the trailer,” Esler said.

He cautioned against using kerosene space heaters and similar equipment to thaw pipes.

“My recommendation when thawing pipes is heat tape installed by an electrician, properly wired under the home to keep them from freezing,” Esler said. “Stay away from the use of open flame devices. Stay away from blow torches or open flame kerosene heaters or anything with an open flame.

“When in doubt, always contact a professional plumber to assist.”

Marks Road is a dead end off South Freedom Road.

The Albion Fire Department conducted a brief investigation of the fire, which was reported at about 2:30 p.m., according to Esler.

Firefighters left the scene just after 4 p.m.