UPDATE: Boothbay Fire Chief Dick Spofford said Thursday afternoon that the cause of the fire at 21 West Side Road, Barters Island, Boothbay was still unknown and that a State Fire Marshal will investigate on Monday, Jan. 4.

According to Spofford, occupants Stan Sr. and Loriann Barter were in the lower part of the two-story apartment/garage when they smelled smoke. When Stan went to the apartment, he found fire around the stove and the kitchen cabinets had caught on fire.

Spofford, one of the first firefighters on the scene, said the Barters had pretty much put the fire out with a hose when he arrived.

“We didn’t have to put any water in there but were ready if we needed to,” said Spofford. “Stan tried to get the dog and cat out of the house but both died from smoke inhalation.”

Most of the damage was caused by heat and smoke, said Spofford, and the apartment is unlivable.

The chief said he was pleased with the turnout of firefighters from his department and others.

ORIGINAL POST: As of 2 p.m. today, firefighters from area towns were still at the scene of an apartment/garage fire at 21 West Side Road, Barters Island, Boothbay. The fire was reported around 1 p.m. and Boothbay Fire Department received mutual aid from the Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb departments. The apartment/garage was connected to a trailer, which suffered no damage.

Red Cross volunteer Anita Tupper said no one was hurt in the fire but two animals died.

This story will be updated.