Albert Lilly was at his daughter's Damariscotta home for Thanksgiving when, shortly before 1 p.m., he and other Dresden firefighters were paged out to a fire at 1115 Middle Rd.

It was his address.

When the 15-plus year veteran firefighter heard the fire had reached the home's eaves, he knew it was gone.

Lilly, 53, is used to fighting other people's fires. “I'm watching my life burn away,” Lilly said the next morning, as smoke and a few flames lingered over the debris of the two-story colonial he and wife Rosemary Lilly built two decades ago.

In Lilly's parked Subaru Forester, the couple's 13-year-old golden lab Sandy was sleeping curled up in the passenger's seat. The only reason she’s alive is Lilly had tied her outside before leaving for his daughter's. “I told her, 'It's too nice out for you to be inside,'” he said.

The next morning, she kept trying to go back into the house. “But there's no house,” he said.

Several people stopped by with hugs, offers to help, and consoling words for him during the morning.

Lilly was still figuring out where he would be staying following the Edgecomb motel where the Red Cross was putting him up. Reached later, he said he had spoken with someone from his insurance company and it looked at that point like the loss was going to be covered.

He doesn't know yet if he will rebuild on the property.

He was also feeling the loss of some things he said were gone forever now: photographs and other items from his children's youth,  from kindergarten to their basketball years.

Looking at the debris, he said, “I'm so empty right now.”

Lilly's brother, Dresden Fire Chief Gerald Lilly, said the fire appeared to start in the area of the wood stove. Albert Lilly said he didn't know of it having any problems prior to the fire and that if he rebuilds the home, he might use that stove again. Steel lasts, he said.

Although the fire was not suspicious, Gerald Lilly asked the fire marshal's office to look at the scene, as is the chief's policy.

Beginning Monday, Nov. 26, the Dresden Town Office will be collecting money and gift cards for Albert and Rosemary Lilly, Chief Lilly said. The office is located at 534 Gardiner Rd. Call for the office’s hours at 737-4335. A fund has been set up at The First in Damariscotta, the Lillys’ daughter Autumn Lilly of Damariscotta said November 25. Contributions can go to “The Lilly Family House Fire Fund” at the First, P.O. Box 940, Damariscotta, ME 04543.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com