Firefighters from over eight communities worked quickly to fight this fire that devastated this farmhouse in New Portland, built at the turn of the previous century. (David Hart photo) NEW PORTLAND –- A devastating structure fire took a historic Millay Hill home that’s been in Emery family since the turn of the previous century. On Jan. 5 a fire broke out at the home of William and Rene Emery that firefighters believe was started by a wood burning stove.

Nearly 50 firefighters from eight communities responded to the blaze. When responders arrived, the fire had already consumed most of the home, collapsed the steel roof and the house was already a complete loss, said New Portland assistant fire Chief Brian Rundlett. A nearby barn started to catch fire but was saved by the local firefighting crews.

“The call came in at 2:30 and I was there at 2:45,” Rundlett explained after the incident.

“Everyone worked well in what became a rather large effort of our mutual aid agreement.”

Some responders, such as Rundlett and Kingfield Fire Chief Charles Twitchell, did not leave until 7:30 after an excavator dismantled the remains.

Firefighters were challenged with a steep long hill before they were able to access the burning home. Many responders were quite exhausted before they even got to the blaze after hiking the icy hill with very heavy equipment in hand.

“It’s hard to see any house lost especially people like the Emerys, who I’ve known for years,” Rundlett said. “No matter who it is, we just try our hardest to save as much as we can.”

This has been the first house fire of the year for New Portland which had not had one since last October. “We seem to be responding to more accidents than fires,” Rundlett explained.

“Although I was glad to have over 50 qualified firefighters respond from so many towns, we are always and will always be in need of new volunteers,” the commander in charge said.

Rundlett is also an EMT for NorthStar which was also present at the scene. The Kingfield/New Portland Ladies Auxiliary also responded to assist firefighters.