Fire Fire destroys North Raymond Road home. (Photo Matt Perry)

Morrison said that six juveniles, three residents and three friends, were in the house at the time of the fire; the oldest was about 17, the youngest was the four-year-old. A smoke alarm alerted the youngsters to the fire, and all escaped without injury. A dog and one cat were rescued, but three other cats were lost. The mother, identified as Sue Bradford, was out of town. She returned to find the home her family had rented for just six months was a total ruin. The Red Cross provided a place for them to live temporarily.

About 50 firefighters from Gray, New Gloucester, Windham, Raymond and North Yarmouth responded to the call. No one was hurt. Morrison said it took about two hours to get the fire under control. The owner of the property had done a major renovation of the house just a year ago. He was not identified. The property has been the scene of at least three fires in the last few years, Morrison recalled.