Auburn Fire Battalion Chief Dan Flanagan takes command Sunday evening of the fire at 57 Glendale Ave. in Auburn, while firefighters battle the blaze from inside the home. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

AUBURN — An elderly couple were left without a place to stay Sunday night after a fire started in their basement, according to Auburn fire Battalion Chief Dan Flanagan.

No one was injured in the fire at 57 Glendale Ave., which was called in just before 5:30 p.m. by the son of the couple who live in the home.

The son was alerted by smoke detectors and got the couple to safety outside the house while waiting for fire crews to respond, Flanagan said.

The fire was out within a half-hour, but Flanagan said the home suffered extensive damage from fire, smoke, heat and water.

“It will be up to the insurance company to decide if it’s salvageable or not,” he said.

He said the fire appears to have started in the basement, but the cause is still under investigation.

“The important thing is everyone did make it out safe,” Flanagan said. “They were notified by the smoke detector, and quick action on the part of the son led to a better outcome than if they didn’t have a working one.”

Auburn Fire was assisted by Lewiston units at the scene, and New Gloucester, Minot and Mechanic Falls assisted with station coverage.

Firefighters run a water line into the home at 57 Glendale Ave. in Auburn on Sunday evening.  (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)