KINGFIELD, Maine — The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that destroyed the Carrabassett Valley Veterinary Clinic in Kingfield Tuesday afternoon after witnesses reported hearing explosions.
The fire was reported at approximately 3:40 p.m. on July 7 while employees, animals and an upstairs resident were inside the large, two-story building.
All veterinary clinic employees and animals were safely evacuated. The resident of an upstairs apartment also escaped, but two cats inside the apartment died in the fire.
Fire Marshal investigators arrived while crews were still working to suppress the blaze. The metal-roofed and metal-sided building sustained extensive damage and is considered a total loss.
A preliminary investigation found that the fire was first discovered outside the rear of the building near the clinic’s trash storage area.
A bystander attempted to put out the flames with a portable fire extinguisher and suffered minor burns. The individual was treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Investigators are continuing to examine the scene as they work to determine the fire’s origin and cause. The cause remains under investigation.
Additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.
