A Christmas evening fire tore through a Boothbay Harbor home at approximately 8:30 p.m.

The 57 Lakeview Road home, owned by Kate and Matthew Rice, was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Firefighters were able to knock down the fire but half of the two-story home was burned.

No one was hurt in the fire but two dogs and a cat died.

UPDATED: The Boothbay Harbor Fire Department cleared the scene around 12:45 a.m. but were called back around 4:30 a.m. when the fire flared up again.

According to Boothbay Harbor Fire Chief Nick Upham on Friday, the State Fire Marshal Mary-Ann MacMaster has determined that the fire started near the refrigerator. MacMaster and Sargeant Kenneth Grimes of the Fire Marshal’s office were at the fire scene with Upham early Friday morning.

“There was a cabinet above or near the refrigerator containing cooking oils and apparently one of the bottles fell and ignited the fire,” said Upham.

The Fire Marshals later explained that there may have been a power surge after a power outage was restored later in the afternoon, or that there was a malfunction with the outlet or with the refrigerator.

Upham said he was surprised that the early morning flare-up occurred.

“There must have been one small ember burning because when we left there, there was no heat or fire,” said Upham.

Between 30 and 40 firefighters from Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, Southport, Edgecomb and Newcastle responded to the initial fire, as well as the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service. BRAS attendants tried to resuscitate one of the dogs at the scene but were unsuccessful. 

Matthew Rice said Kate purchased the house, located just past the former Lakeview Inn, about seven years ago. Kate and Matthew were married this past summer.

The fire was discovered by Matthew Rice as he was returning home after celebrating Christmas with other family members.