BUXTON, Maine — Crews from multiple towns responded to a fire at Panda Market, a restaurant and gas station located in Buxton, early Sunday morning.
Buxton Asst. Fire Chief Jeremy Redlon told NEWS CENTER Maine crews arrived at the scene on Parker Farm Road to find heavy fire coming from the middle of the store after a call came in shortly before 1:20 a.m.
The bulk of the blaze was knocked down quickly, but crews had a difficult time getting to a number of hotspots because of a partial roof collapse. Redlon said a public works excavator was brought in to reach those areas.
Water was shuttled in by other towns due to Buxton not having a pressurized hydrant system, Redlon said.
The fire is believed to have started in a "kitchen/electrical area." The building is considered a total loss.
Redlon said the owners were woken up by a passerby and were safely out of the building. The owners reportedly lived in an "attached L as well as a camper."
Two pets, a cat and a dog, were lost in the fire.
"The owners are being assisted by friends, family, and the American Red Cross with a place to stay and basic needs due to extensive fire damage," according to Redlon.
The state fire marshal's office and insurance company are investigating the cause of the fire.
Hollis, Gorham, Standish, Saco, Goodwins Mills, Limington, Waterboro, and Scarborough Fire Departments reportedly assisted at the scene.
This story will be updated as NEWS CENTER Maine learns more.