SIDNEY -- Firefighters from six communities saved a Ferry Road home from burning to the ground Monday night after fire broke out in an attic by the house's chimney, Sidney Fire Chief Richard Jandreau said.

"There was quite a bit of smoke damage," Jandreau said, "but it was contained to the fireplace area and to the breezeway and living-room area."

Jandreau said Norman Levin and his wife -- whose first name he didn't know -- were home when the fire broke out shortly before 10. But he said both escaped uninjured.

He said about 35 firefighters were on hand at one point, including a ladder truck from the Augusta Fire Department. Fire units from Oakland, Belgrade, Smithfield and Rome also assisted, he said.

"It looks like cracks in the chimney itself (led to the fire)," he said. "There were studs from the mantel right up against the chimney that heated up over time."

Jandreau said the two-story wood home was a former schoolhouse. He said the renovated structure had multiple roofs, including one with metal sheeting that forced fire crews to get inside the house to douse the flames.

"It was a little bit stubborn in there for a while," he said of the fire.

Jandreau said the Levins had relatives in the area that they were able to stay with after firefighters cleared the scene about an hour after midnight.

Frigid temperatures -- Jandreau said his truck's thermometer read 5 degrees -- were another challenge firefighters faced.

"We ended up having to get the town crew out there to sand the road," he said, "because as soon as we started with the water it was an instant ice rink out there."

Colin Hickey -- 861-9205

chickey@centralmaine.com