KENNEBUNK, ME — August 11 — The Kennebunk Police Department and other first responders helped with the evacuation.

Automatic mutual aid was called in as part of the structure-fire rA timely 911 call from a vigilant neighbor played a key role in helping firefighters address an early-morning apartment fire before it could spread.

Just before 6 a.m., the Kennebunk Fire Rescue was called to 283 Alfred Road due to a reported building fire.

When the crews arrived, they found smoke coming from the first floor of a two and a half-story wooden-frame apartment building.Firefighters located a small fire on an enclosed porch and swiftly put it out.

The fire blocked the building's main exit route, which created a serious risk to people's safety.

While the fire was being put out, crews also woke up and safely removed the residents from the first and second floors.No one, including the firefighters, was injured.

esponse, but the additional units were canceled before they could arrive, as the KFR crews had already taken control of the situation.

Chief Justin Cooper acknowledged the help from a neighbor who saw the fire while driving by, stopped to call 911, and remained on the scene until the firefighters arrived.

The fire was found to have started from carelessly discarded smoking materials.

The response included Engine 1, Engine 2, Tower 1, Chief 1 and Chief 2, with Cooper acting as the incident commander.

For firefighters, the incident highlights several important points: early detection, a quick 911 call, working smoke alarms, and ensuring clear escape routes can all significantly impact the outcome of a residential fire.