It was barely 6 p.m. Saturday when a line of apprehensive families and friends of all ages was forming for the Haunted House tour at Boothbay Fire Station. The line already stretched beyond the welcoming spread of treats supplied by Boothbay Region Fire Auxiliary, laid out on the way into the brightly lit station. Some thrill seekers were in Halloween costumes as they paced while awaiting their turn. "Firezilla," aka Boothbay Fire Chief Dick Spofford, with a devilish grin, led each small group to the path at the edge of the woods for a terrifying walk alone in the dark to reach the haunted house.

The house was designed once again by Bobbi Applin Robinson of Lincoln County 911. Robinson also organizes the scary actors. There were a number of rooms off of the Hall of Horrors where spooky experiences continued. A variety of startling images in the gloom, a mysterious fog-filled atmosphere and being grabbed by goblins from out of nowhere put even the most fearless on edge. The back door opened onto a cemetery guarded by the Grim Reaper for a walk back through a cornfield.

Paramedic David Hudson brought niece Lily, with fourth grade classmate Autumn and brother Owen, to enjoy the free event. How did the children like the haunted house? Lily said, "It was fun...really fun! I especially liked the doctor (Dr. Frankenstein?)”

Scary? "Sort of,” she said.

It is not easy to be scared when you are in one of the safest places in town surrounded by first responders.

If interested in joining the Auxiliary to provide support to the fire departments of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb, call Kareen Nelson at 207-350-7065 or Spofford at 207-380-7286.