Sharon Rainey Obituary, Death; – A woman who operated a well-known ice cream stand and fast food restaurant in Maine has been confirmed as the victim of a deadly house fire.
Sharon Rainey, aged 81, from Wilton, succumbed to the injuries sustained in the blaze at her residence on Magrath Road. Rainey was the proprietor of the Dutch Treat located along Route 2, which has yet to open for the season.
“It is truly unfortunate that we have lost her,” expressed neighbor Carol Oliver. “It troubles me greatly, but there is not much we can do about it, I suppose. However, we extend our prayers.”
“She always greeted you with a smile,” remarked neighbor Ken Oliver.
The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office reported that crews from the Wilton Fire Department responded to the fire at 62 Magrath Road shortly after midnight on Saturday.
A neighbor who witnessed the fire discovered 84-year-old Robert Adams outside the residence, injured from what appeared to be a jump from a window.
Authorities indicated that the neighbor, along with responding Wilton police officers, entered the burning house through a window and rescued Rainey from the flames.
Rainey sustained severe burns, and both she and Adams were initially taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital. They were subsequently airlifted by medical helicopter to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where Rainey later passed away from her injuries.
As of Sunday, Adams was in critical condition, but a spokesperson from Maine Medical Center reported that his condition had improved to fair by Monday morning.
“I think it is a terrible tragedy. I understand he was severely burned while attempting to rescue her,” stated neighbor Nye Mosher.
Neighbors noted that Rainey and Adams were active members of the community, as she was often seen walking with her nurse while he spent time tending to his yard.
The fire that took Rainey’s life was one of three fatal house fires that occurred across Maine over the weekend, according to the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Caribou Fire Department was alerted to a fire at 32 Hillcrest Ave. that resulted in one fatality. Investigators believe the victim to be 49-year-old Tony Jackson, but the remains have been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The third deadly fire happened early Sunday morning at 52 Maintenance Lane in Newfield. The two-story home was destroyed and investigators suspect the homeowner, 39-year-old Kristofer Whittemore, was inside at the time of the fire. Human remains were found inside and they have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for positive identification.
