CHINA, Maine (WGAN)  Two people getting out of their home safely after a fire in China.

The fire, which happened late Thursday night, destroyed the home and attached garage along Route 3.

A State Police Detective was driving by when he saw the house was burning.  Detective Scott Quintero was able to help one of the homeowners get out safely.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says because the house was flattened, it will be difficult for them to determine a cause.  The fire started in the attached garage, which was heated by a woodstove.

The house is owned by Rita and Richard Lessard.  Fire investigators say Mrs. Lessard woke up to the smoke detectors going off and called 911 to report the fire.  Detective Quintero was driving by before firefighters arrived and helped get her 82-year-old husband out.

Richard Lessard was taken to the hospital to be checked for smoke inhalation.  Rita was uninjured.

The couple lost all of their possessions and two vehicles in the fire.