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By Morning Sentinel staff 01/12/2008

enlarge Staff Photo by Jim Evans

HOME DESTROYED: Firefighters work on the remains of a home and attached barn in Weeks Mills Friday while the woodpile in back burns.

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"My parents bought it from my grandparents," Lane recalled. "It's where my parents were married."

Lane, her husband, Jim Lane, and two teenage children were all out of the house when the fire broke out at the 60 South Road farmhouse sometime around 10:30 a.m. More than two hours later, the fire was still burning and an excavator was called in to knock down the charred remains to help firefighters get the last of the hot spots.

The family's home destroyed, Darlyne Lane clung to what remained -- her family, which includes Jim, an animal control officer and constable for the town, and two children, 16 and 18, who live at home and attend Winslow High School.

The family's horse, goat and other farm animals were all outside and safe when the fire broke out.

A dog was rescued by a neighbor from a kennel inside the attached barn, which also was destroyed.

The picnic table Darlyne Lane's father had made was still safe in the front yard, untouched by the flames.

The Lanes, who had insurance on the home, had numerous offers from family and friends to stay as long as needed.

"We're all OK," Lane said. "The rest of it will fall into place as it needs to."

The sadness came in waves and from unexpected thoughts, like when Lane recalled her lost Willie Nelson collection, which Lane used to play when she was upset.

A family cat, Angel, was inside the home when the flames erupted and Lane had not seen her since.

"She's probably a real angel now," Lane said softly.

Neighbor Mary Kay Adams worked feverishly, making sure the farm animals were safe. Adams was the first to notice the flames pouring out the front porch across the street from her home.

"The house was totally engulfed," Adams said. "I didn't know if they were home or not."

Adams called 9-1-1 and ran across the street to check on the farm animals. She learned that the family's dog, Molly, was inside a kennel in the barn. Adams and others who came over were able to coax the frightened dog to safety.

"The barn was full of smoke," Adams said. "Luckily the dog came to the man's voice and they were able to grab her."

Weeks Mills Fire Chief George Oliver said his heart sank as soon as he stepped out of his house and saw dark smoke filling the skyline.

"We got here and there was fire coming up through the roof," Oliver said. "When that is happening, there is not much you can do."

Often volunteer fire departments struggle for crews with daytime fires, but Oliver was thankful to have more than 40 firefighters from China's three departments, as well as others from Palermo, Windsor and Waterville.

Neither Oliver nor investigators from the state Fire Marshal's Office knew Friday afternoon what had caused the fire or where it originated. Jim Lane had started a fire in the wood stove and closed the dampers before leaving the house in the morning, Oliver said.

"All we know is the homeowner did start a fire, but we don't know if that had anything to do with it," Oliver said.

Sgt. Ken Grimes of the Fire Marshal's Office said he had only spoken briefly with the primary fire investigator, but that there was nothing to indicate the fire was suspicious in nature.

"His preliminary feelings are, because of the extensive damage, we may never know the cause, but we're continuing to look at it," Grimes said.

Craig Crosby -- 861-9253

ccrosby@centralmaine.com

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