A chimney fire Tuesday at 179 Bath Road, across from the former NAPA auto parts store, led to extensive damage throughout the home, according to Wiscasset Fire Chief T.J. Merry. “The house is not livable,” he said. “The gentleman who lives here is being assisted by the Red Cross.”

The fire was reported in the early afternoon May 22. Alna firefighter Jeff Whittemore said that when he arrived, smoke from the fire was drifting across Route One. “It looked like someone mowing a lawn,” he said.

Firefighters cut holes in the roof of an addition and knocked holes in the main mansard roof of the original structure to provide ventilation and access. Wood adjacent to the chimney was charred as it was tossed from the roof.

Merry said that in the course of fighting the fire, ceilings and interior walls also had to be pulled down. “It will take a while to do the repairs,” he said.

In addition to Wiscasset and Alna, firefighters from Woolwich, Bath, Westport, Boothbay and Dresden responded, along with Wiscasset EMS. Wiscasset police performed traffic control. Traffic was down to one lane for about two miles, from Old Bath Road to Beechnut Hill Road, and traffic was only allowed northbound. Southbound traffic was detoured along Old Bath Road.