Dennysville church fire ruled as arson

The Maine State Fire Marshal's Office has determined that the fire at the Dennysville-Edmunds Congregational Church on July 20 was an act of arson. The early-morning fire had been contained to the outside of the building because of alert passersby and quick action by firefighters.

The fire was first noticed by two passersby, Aiden Ashby and Hannah Preston, who called in the alarm shortly before 8 a.m. Within minutes, first responders from the Dennys River Volunteer Fire Department, whose headquarters are just up the road from the church on King Street, were on the scene, with Pembroke and Perry firefighters arriving soon afterward. When they arrived, the flames were going up to the roof of the church. Thanks to a rapid attack by the firefighters, the fire was contained to the outside of the building, with only smoke reaching the inside of the church. Mutual aids calls also were sent out to the Charlotte, Whiting and Calais departments, but they were cancelled enroute. No one was at the church at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

The fire appeared to be localized in and near the furnace room on the back of the building and appeared to have started on the outside. Smoke was seen coming from the top and the side of the structure as well as from inside the furnace room, where there had been no electrical switches turned on for several weeks. The church was completely rewired less than a year ago and was up to code. While there was a full tank of oil, it was on the other side of the furnace room from the fire.

There appeared to be no damage to the inside sanctuary other than the smell of smoke. Firefighters with thermal cameras were on scene, and a state fire inspector came that afternoon. The fire reportedly began in some boards being stored under the furnace room.

Members of the church are grateful for the turnout of volunteer firefighters who came at once to the fire and saved the church from being destroyed.

Anyone who has information related to the fire is asked to call the State Fire Marshal's Office at 207‑973‑3700.