A fire in Saco was accidentally started by a juvenile playing with a flammable liquid, according to a fire official.

The fire at 131 Heath Road destroyed a two-car garage and an apartment above it, according to Capt. Rob Martin. The garage was attached to a home, and the property is owned by Ralph and Cathy Bailey, said Martin.

Firefighters got the call at 11:49 a.m. and arrived on the scene at 11:58 to find the garage and apartment fully engulfed in flames. Roughly 42 firefighters from Saco, Biddeford, Scarborough and Buxton were on the scene until 2:30 p.m., Martin said.

No one was inside the building, though firefighters did save a cat. Emergency medical personnel gave the cat oxygen, and an animal control officer took it to an area veterinarian.

Martin said a 14-year-old youth was at the scene when police officers arrived and "he was very honest about what had happened." Martin said the fire was started accidentally. He doesn't anticipate charges.

The house sustained only light smoke damage and should be habitable after some cleaning and electrical work, said Martin. He estimated that the garage and apartment represented a loss of at least $80,000.

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