LEVANT, Maine — The Levant Fire Department responds to roughly 1,000 calls each year. But firefighters in the Penobscot County town couldn't shake a call they received on July 7, 2015.

Three young cousins were left home alone in nearby Hermon when flames ignited in the kitchen, according to the fire marshal.

With help from responding crews from multiple towns, two of the children made it out. A 9-year-old boy died in the home. Levant Chief Eric Strout recalled the day.

"That kind of hit the department pretty heavy," Strout said, while sitting in his office. "In a department that was mutual aid with us, I had a really close friend that was one of the first ones there; saved a child. And then to lose a life of a small child. ... I mean, the mental health of it really takes a toll on you

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