Couple loses home in devastating Waltham fire
Peter L. Smith
Local Journalism Initiative
Published in the Pontiac Journal on May 7, 2025.
WALTHAM – The Waltham Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a 911 call Friday evening, April 18, around 8:00 pm at the home of Lynn Dempsey and Dan Amyotte at 648 Highway 148. Neighbours saw smoke and alerted Lynn and Dan, who were inside the house at the time. The couple escaped without injury.
When firefighters arrived, the garage and workshop were fully engulfed in flames, and the fire had spread to a forested area behind the property. Waltham responded with a tanker, pumper, and rescue vehicle, and immediately called for assistance from the Pontiac Ouest Fire Safety Service and Mansfield Fire Department. Crews remained on site until 3:50 am Saturday morning.
Dan had been working in the garage shortly before the fire and believes it may have started in the ceiling after he left.
The fire spread to the house and backyard, destroying an ATV, pontoon boat, tools, and more. Everything inside the house was lost, including treasured memories from both families.
Lynn, a longtime supporter of Animal Aide Pontiac, has received community support. Katherine Morris of the organization set up a GoFundMe page. Through generous donations, $5,200 was raised to help purchase a used fifth-wheel trailer for the couple to live in on-site while they deal with insurance and cleanup. An additional $1,800 has already been raised to complete the purchase.
Many people have dropped off donations for the couple, and the GoFundMe page (https://gofund.me/caa6fef4) remains open for contributions.
Photo – Lynn Dempsey and Dan Amyotte of Waltham lost their home in a devastating house fire, April 18. (PS)
