SABATTUS — Two fires that broke out within an hour of each other kept the Sabattus Fire Department on its feet Sunday afternoon.

According to Sabattus fire Chief Mark Veilleux, his crews were called to a fire at 15 Shore Drive around 3:41 p.m.

“It’s been a very busy day for us,” Veilleux said.

Veilleux said the homeowner arrived to find her house filled with smoke, prompting a quick 911 call.

The fire was quickly extinguished and still under investigation. Veilleux said it appears to be accidental and possibly electric in nature.

While still on scene at Shore Drive, Veilleux said one of his firefighters, Lt. Adam Buckley, was on his way to the station when he saw smoke coming from a home on High Street and called it in.

Sabattus crews arrived and shut down part of High Street for firefighting operations assisted by Wales, Monmouth and Lewiston with coverage by Greene.

Veilleux said the owners of the house currently live in Falmouth and the tenants, a family of three, were not home at the time of the fire which was contained to one room in the back of the house and caused extensive smoke damage to the first floor.

According to Veilleux, the family has been put in contact with the Red Cross until other housing arrangements can be made.

In all, the High Street fire took about 15 to 20 minutes to knock down with extensive overhaul, Veilleux said.

There were no injuries, Veilleux said, adding, “We did have crews that saved one of the family pets (a dog),” the other pet dog escaped on its own.

Veilleux said both fires will be examined by fire investigators on Monday and that neither home was a total loss.

dmcintire@sunjournal.com