Firefighters, Homeowner Extinguish Fire at Historic Home on Governors Hill Road

Oxford firefighters responded to 89 Governors Hill Road Wednesday afternoon to find a homeowner on a ladder pouring water on top of his historic home with a garden house.

Firefighters helped the homeowner off the ladder and then doused the wood shingled roof, which sustained a hole about 1-foot, by 1-foot during the 3 p.m. fire, Fire Chief Scott Pelletier said. The roof is deteriorated and scheduled to be replaced next week, he said.

The fire started after hot embers from a fireplace landed on shingles, he said. Firefighters placed a tarp over the hole so the family can get through the weekend until the roof is replaced next week. About 20 volunteer firefighters responded and the fire was put out quickly, Pelletier said.

The red, one-and-three-quarter-story Cape Cod-style home with clapboard wood siding and a Gable-styled roof was built in 1790, according to Oxford land records. It is owned by Trede J. Frederick, Jr., and is assessed at $223,900, land records state.

See an attached video of Oxford Fire Chief Scott Pelletier discussing the fire.