CITY

Lewiston attic fire causes minimal damage

Published Dec 28, 2010 12:00 am | Last updated Dec 27, 2010 11:59 pm

LEWISTON — An attic fire caused minimal damage to a home at 39 Avon St. on Monday afternoon, Lewiston fire officials said.The fire was reported at about 3:15 p.m., Lewiston Fire Investigator Paul Ouellette said, when a resident smelled smoke in the house and called the Fire Department. Five trucks responded, and firefighters found fire in the attic of the home's barn-like extension used as a painting studio. The fire was caused when an electrical space heater overloaded the older-style knob-and-tube wiring, Ouellette said. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes, and "damage was very minimal," he said. "It was a good save."

Ouellette estimated the damage at $10,000 and said the house remains inhabitable, although electricity was cut off during the fire.

By Andrew Cullen, Staff Writer