Lewiston family loses home to fire

LEWISTON, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A family is out in the cold Wednesday afternoon after fire destroys part of their home.

The fire broke out around 9:00 AM on Sylvan Avenue.  Crews were forced to shut down Sylvan Ave. while they battled the blaze.

The top story of the two story, two apartment building is completely destroyed. The Lewiston Fire Department was able to knock down the fire pretty quickly.

The family of six was not home at the time.  They had been at church.  They did lose a dog in the fire.

One firefighter suffered minor burns in the fire.

Lewiston Fire Investigator Peter Morrell says the cause of the fire cannot be determined but the house is a total loss.

The American Red Cross is helping, but they're looking for help, too.  This is just the latest of some half dozen fires in the past week and helping the needy has stretched their resources.