OTISFIELD — Firefighters on Monday continued to monitor brief flare-ups of smouldering rubble as rain poured down over the remains of a home, barn and business razed in a fire Sunday evening. 

Otisfield emergency responders returned to Gary and Debby Dyer’s property on Route 121 on Monday morning to douse hay that caught fire when crews shifted the soaked timber of the barn to recover the bodies of two horses that perished in the blaze. The fires were quickly contained, Fire Chief Mike Hooker said. 

The gutted and charred frame of the front of the home remained standing. A smaller annex leading to the barn was consumed or knocked down. A significant section of a rear dwelling, an in-law apartment, stood lopsided, a significant section consumed by the flames. 

No one was home at the time of the fire; the Dyers were visiting an ailing relative in Bangor when the fire began. Some family lived next to the home and barn.

Cars drove slowly past the home Monday morning, some stopping to exchange a wave or quick word with members of the family. 

Fire crews were called to 624 Route 121 shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday for report of a structure fire. The Dyers ran a small cottage caretaking business at the home.  

Besides the two horses, several cats and ducks perished in the blaze. Several vehicles parked in the driveway were destroyed. 

Even as investigators from Office of the State Fire Marshal were trying to determine the cause of the blaze Monday morning, residents began rallying to offer support for the family, beloved and well-known in the small community of 1,800 people.

Relief efforts are being organized through the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church, the Rev. Genise Stern said. 

While friends and family members are providing the Dyers with immediate essentials, the long-term needs are being addressed by the community, Stern said. Gary, a longtime fire chief, is also an active member of the church. 

“The outpouring has been unbelievable,” Stern said, fighting back tears as she watched family members walk around the site.

Those wishing to make financial contributions may send checks made out to “East Otisfield Free Baptist Church” with “Dyer family” in the memo line. Send them to: East Otisfield Free Baptist Church, care of Pauline Flagg, 912 Bolsters Mills Road, Otisfield, ME 04270

The church will funnel all money given, Stern said, and it will be placed in a special recovery account.

“Just whatever. Whatever they need, whatever they can do — people want to know how to help,” she said. 

According to Stern, the family is well-known and respected in the community, growing up and spending their entire lives in the same home. 

“(Gary) and his wife are some of the most beloved in the community,” she said.  

Clerks in the Town Office fielded roughly a dozen inquiries for providing aid and are compiling a contact list once details about donations are finalized. All of the callers knew Dyer, the clerk, who did not wish to be named, said. 

“It’s just awful,” she said.