Nov. 23--A fire ripped through a hotel under construction on Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay early Saturday morning, causing an estimated $5 million to $9 million in damage.
Portland Fire Department officials said the fire broke out at about 4:25 a.m. at the Inn at Diamond Cove at 18 McKinley Court. The fire, which required much equipment to extinguish because it was so large, was under control as of 10 a.m.
Firefighters were still on the scene at 11 a.m. Saturday. No one was injured in the blaze.
Deputy Fire Chief Robert Wassick said the fire was initially spotted by a Casco Bay Bridge tender who noticed a large fire on the horizon in Casco Bay.
The department's fire boat was dispatched with six engines, an ambulance, about 20 Portland firefighters and other equipment. They arrived at the island at about 4:50 a.m. to find the three-story brick structure engulfed in flames.
The building was being developed by Diamond Cove LLC into a full-service hotel and condominium complex with a variety of room types at a former U.S. Army barracks at the Fort McKinley site, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, said Jeff Levine, the city's planning and urban development director.
The building was undergoing renovation and due to open as the Inn at Diamond Cove next year. The construction was nearing completion, said Levine.
Wassick said the State Fire Marshal's Office will help in the investigation into the cause of the fire because of the scope of the damage. Sgt. Joel Davis of the State Fire Marshal's Office said it could take several days to make the building, which was a complete loss, safe for investigators. The cause of the blaze has not been ruled suspicious at this point.
Twenty volunteer firefighters from Great Diamond Island's station and Long Island also responded to the fire.
About 20 people live on Great Diamond Island in the winter.
Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at: [email protected]
Copyright 2013 - Portland Press Herald, Maine
