An Auburn firefighter tears away part of a wall Wednesday afternoon looking for hot spots on the porch of a home on Maple Point in Auburn. A fire official said the blaze appeared to have started on the porch. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

AUBURN — Quick-acting neighbors with garden hoses helped douse a fire Wednesday afternoon after a home at 15 Maple Point erupted in flames.

Firefighters were called to the home, between Poland and Manley roads, about 3:15 p.m. for a report that the front of the house was in flames with someone still inside.

While fire crews were en route, neighbors attacked the flames with fire hoses. When firefighters arrived, they found most of the fire out, although there were flames visible around a kitchen stove which were quickly extinguished.

Firefighters ushered the homeowner out of the building along with two dogs. None were seriously hurt, although the man, whose name was not immediately available, was examined my paramedics.

He was taken to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston where he was still being evaluated later in the day.

A cat remained unaccounted for but it was believed the animal had gone outside, a fire official said.

The blaze was being investigated by Auburn fire and police along with the Office of the State Fire Marshal. A fire official said the fire appeared to have started on a front porch, but the cause had not been determined.

Investigators remained at the scene later Wednesday night.