Maine Firefighters get a surprise while responding to an alarm

If you read this blog you know how I admire firefighters. Well, this story out of Maine earlier this month explains how they had a unique challenge when they responded to an alarm.

Auburn, Maine firefighters get a surprise while responding to an alarm

Jun 8, 2026 Adam Bartow, WMTW-TV, Portland, Maine 

 AUBURN, Maine —Firefighters are trained for many things, but crews in Auburn recently got a unique surprise.

The fire department shared video on Monday as crews responded to a recent fire alarm activation.

They quickly determined that it was a false alarm - caused by a groundhog who was on the fire alarm pull switch.

The groundhog did not appear to want to leave, as video shows it hanging on tight to the alarm and framing around it as firefighters worked to safely remove it.

"After a thorough investigation, we can confirm: No fire, no smoke, just a very confused rodent," the fire department wrote on Facebook. "He did not see his shadow, but he definitely saw our flashing lights. The crew gave him a lecture on proper fire safety and the consequences of pulling false alarms and he was safely escorted outside. Remember: Working smoke alarms save lives, no matter who is doing the testing!"

The groundhog was taken outside and released.

(Photo: Not the same ground hog, but another from a previous incident. This Groundhog was rescued from vehicle engine in Portland, Maine on March 14, 2024)