An early morning fire ravaged the Porter House Restaurant in Eustis on Sunday. No cause has been identified as of press time. (Bob Gray photo) EUSTIS - - Renowned as one of the area's finest menus in one of Maine's most charming converted farmhouses along Route 27 in Eustis, the Porter House Restaurant has been ravaged by flames.

As of Monday, the main part of the house is considered by some to be salvageable, but speculation also suggests that the structure is a total loss. As of press time Monday, a statement from the insurance companies involved was not available.

The building with so much history and charm was built in 1908 and celebrating its 100 year anniversary.

Owners Brian and Susan Anderson left the building Saturday night around 10 p.m. and returned early the next morning to witness the restaurant engulfed in flames. The first fire fighters arrived shortly after midnight. It was reported that the fire was fully extinguished by 5:20 a.m. the next morning.

Many stopped by the next day to witness the historic restaurant and farmhouse.

Maine Fire Marshall Scott Robinson investigates the fire at the Porter House Restaurant in Eustis last Sunday. Assisting in the procedure is a member of the Department of Justice's Accelerant K9 unit, "Metro," a oneyear old black Labrador retriever. The investigation is part of the standard procedure for most all structure fires. No cause has been identified as of press time. (David Hart photo) Nancy Tate, a former guest at the home while growing up, was visiting the area for the holidays. She stared in disbelief at the pile of debris now sitting behind the main structure. Tate was a grandchild of Effie and Wallace Scribner who owned the home many years ago. "We had a lot of cousins, dinners and family gatherings here - -no amount of fire can take those memories away," Tate said. "There were many happy memories in this house."

Phil Maguire of Rangeley was a waiter for the former restaurant since the Andersons took it over four years ago. "I loved this place. Brian and Susan are such good people. He's a very talented chef. I really hope they rebuild, because people from all over the country loved this place," he said.

Owner Brian Anderson said the next morn- ing, that they'll look at the feasibility of rebuilding in the future and most likely, he said, they'll do something with the property.

According to the restaurant's Web site, the house was built for Mr. and Mrs. Florin Porter in 1908. Porter was a jeweler, using what was used as the coat room for his shop. The house continued to be a private home until January 1985, when Greg and Sandy Scribner opened the restaurant's doors. Beth and Jeff Hinman owned the restaurant prior to Anderson.

Anderson, in relatively positive spirits the morning after, demonstrated his appreciation for the efforts of the local fire departments. "They did a wonderful job. It's really hats off to them," Anderson said also appreciating the support he and his wife, Susan, received from the local community.

"God bless the fact that no one got hurt and everyone was safe. We can always rebuild, but nobody was hurt and that is what's most important," he added.

"When we arrived," Eustis Fire Chief Rusty Fearon explained, "the kitchen was fully engulfed and the ell was already started." The chief said that they got called about 12:15 a.m. Sunday and he and about seven fire fighters started a battle with the blaze around 12:30 a.m. with 4,000 gallons of water to start.

In all, around 40 responders arrived to assist in a mutual aid effort from the Towns of Carrabassett, Kingfield and Rangeley. The chief said that Sugarloaf (NorthStar EMS) Rescue was also standing by. "We're like one big department all working together but staged in different stations. Mutual aid is a great thing and is our life blood up here," Fearon explained from the tailgate of his pickup the next afternoon.

Assistant Fire Chief Sidney Shane as well as Fearon discussed their appreciation for the responders from the other departments. "I really want to thank all the other departments for their time and efforts in mutual aid," Shane remarked.

Fearon explained that a motorist saw the flames in the kitchen and called 911 after getting out of work.

Fearon said the first thing he did once on the scene was to shut down a nearby 1,000 gallon propane tank. "We didn't want to feed the fire anymore then we had to."

Fire fighters Sprague Wise and Andy Crann joined Fearon in a hands-on battle with the blaze and entered the building street side to fight the flames head-on wearing self contained breathing apparatus. Their efforts were successful in stopping the flames from entering the main part of home. Many other responders were equipped with SCBA in the battle to save the building.

Eventually Carrabassett's ladder truck dispersed foam in an effort to contain the flames.

The Maine Fire Marshall's office arrived the next day to investigate the incident. As of press time Monday, no cause for fire had been determined.