A Christmas Day house fire in Brunswick was quickly brought under control Thursday afternoon, with investigators pointing to an electrical malfunction linked to a portable generator as the likely cause.
Just after 3 p.m. on December 25, 2025, the Brunswick Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 36 Bridge Road. Fire crews arriving on scene observed heavy smoke coming from the roof area and rear eaves of the residence.
Firefighters entered the home and located a fire on the second floor, with the heaviest involvement in the ceiling area above an industrial-style fan. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, preventing extensive damage to the structure.
Assistance was requested from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and fire investigators responded to the scene to determine the cause. Investigators met with the homeowner and her son, who reported that the area had experienced a power outage for several hours and that the home had been operating on a portable generator.
According to investigators, after the generator shut down, the homeowner’s son restarted it, at which point heavy smoke was observed coming from the eaves. The generator was immediately shut off and unplugged. Upon entering the home, the son encountered heavy smoke descending the stairway and called 911. He safely evacuated his mother and all animals from the residence.
Fire investigators determined the fire originated in the attic. The cause is believed to be an electrical malfunction involving the fan unit, likely associated with a power surge when the generator was restarted. The most significant fire damage was located in the attic, with debris falling into the second-floor area below.
No injuries were reported.
