Rechargeable batteries may have caused Camden house fire

A home on Rockbrook Drive in Camden was badly damaged late Tuesday afternoon by a fire that may have been caused by rechargeable batteries. The owners of the home, as well as their pets, made it out safely, according to the Camden Fire Department. While the main portion of the home remains structurally sound, it suffered a lot of smoke damage, the department said on Facebook. The greatest damage to the house was in the garage and rooms above it, according to the Pen Bay Pilot. The fire department said the cause of the blaze is under investigation by state officials and may turn out to be the use of rechargeable batteries. It also reminded people to maintain three feet of clearance around fire hydrants, after firefighters had to get through dense plantings to use one Tuesday. A firefighter did suffer puncture wounds from a cat it rescued from the blaze, according to the department. A local inn has provided temporary housing for the displaced residents.