The fire which destroyed a Boothbay Harbor home on Christmas Day evening has been ruled accidental.

The 57 Lakeview Road home, owned by Kate and Matthew Rice, was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived shortly after it was reported at around 8:30 p.m. by Matt Rice. Rice discovered the fire after returning home from a Christmas celebration and he tried rescuing his animals but the fire and smoke was too heavy.

Kate arrived a few minutes after Matt because she was helping to clean up at the Christmas celebration held at her father's home on Roads End. Firefighters were able to knock down the fire but half of the two-story home was burned.

No one was hurt in the fire but the family's two dogs and a cat died.

Between 30 and 40 firefighters from Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, Southport, Edgecomb and Newcastle responded to the fire, as well as the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service. BRAS attendants tried to resuscitate one of the dogs at the scene but were unsuccessful.

While still fighting the fire, firefighters were able to recover some of the Rices' clothing, but the rest of the house was destroyed.

The Boothbay Harbor Fire Department cleared the scene around 12:45 a.m. but were called back around 4:30 a.m. when the fire flared up again.

According to Boothbay Harbor Fire Chief Nick Upham on Friday, Dec. 26, the State Fire Marshal Mary-Ann MacMaster has determined that the fire started near the refrigerator. MacMaster and Sergeant Kenneth Grimes of the Fire Marshal’s office were at the fire scene with Upham early Friday morning.

The Fire Marshals later explained that there may have been a power surge after a power outage was restored later in the afternoon, or that there was a malfunction with the outlet or with the refrigerator.

Matthew Rice said Kate purchased the house, located just past the former Lakeview Inn, about seven years ago. Kate and Matthew were married this past summer. Matt's son, Sullivan, was with his mother during the fire.

Friends and the community have rallied behind the Rice family, raising approximately $24,000 through the www.gofundme.com website to help them recover their losses and by making personal donations.

"I can't say enough about the support of the community," said Matthew Rice on Tuesday. "It has been overwhelming."

Rice said he and Kate plan to build a new house on the property.