Harrison Thorp
Monday, December 2, 2013 6:56 am

LEBANON - A fire that started in a bedroom forced a household of nine from a Lower Guinea Road residence on Sunday.

The blaze erupted around 5 p.m., but was isolated to the bedroom as firefighters quickly doused the fire upon arrival, Lebanon Fire Chief Skip Wood said today.

Water damage to the rest of the house, however, rendered it unlivable temporarily, so Red Cross officials made arrangements for the family to be put up at a Dover motel for the night.

Crews from Rochester, Berwick, Milton, Somersworth, Acton, Alfred and South Berwick provided mutual aid.

Lebanon provided a pumper and a pumper tanker, Wood said.

In all six children and three adults were displaced due to the blaze. One of three cats that were part of the household remains missing today, Wood added.

He said the residence at 38 Lower Guinea Road will be habitable again as soon as the water damage is cleaned up.

The cause of the fire was not given, but Wood ruled out any electrical or wood-burning issues.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office will begin an investigation today.