Maine Firefighters Tackle Four-Alarm Building Fire

Nov. 24, 2014
Biddeford firefighters found old hydrants didn't have much volume or pressure.

BIDDEFORD, Maine — More than 100 firefighters continued to battle a four-alarm fire late Sunday night, nearly four hours after they were called to the 12-unit complex at 25 Green St.

Biddeford Fire Chief Joseph Warren said just before 10 p.m. that the fire continued to burn in the attic of the building, and firefighters had not yet been able to search the rear of the building due to the extent of the fire. However, he said he was not aware of any fatalities or injuries, although one person was taken to Southern Maine Medical Center for observation.

When the first crews arrived just after 6 p.m., the rear of the building and all the porches were fully involved, and flames were through the roof, Warren said.

“Our issue was trying to contain the fire to the building of origin,” Warren said. “They hydrants in this area are old, and it’s hard to get the amount of water we needed.”

Rivers of water flowed along adjacent streets throughout the evening, as hundreds of people gathered around building to watch the flames.

Frank Williams, who lived in a third-floor apartment at 25 Green St., stood in a vacant lot opposite the building and fielded phone calls from friends concerned about him.

Williams, 62, said he saw flames in the sky as he headed home Sunday evening.

“As I came by, I could see all that fire,” he said. “Then I said, ‘Oh my god, it’s my house.’”

Williams said he watched firefighters resuscitate pets on the street in front of the building.

At about 8:15, and again near 9 p.m., as firefighters blasted water at the roof from the tips of ladders, bursts of flames erupted from the roof.

Although the fire was contained to the 25 Green St. building, tenants of 23 Green St., only a few feet away, were also evacuated.

At least 12 communities sent firefighters to the blaze, and 25 engines, four ladders and 5 ambulances were at the scene.

The Maine State Fire Marshal, as well as Biddeford fire and police departments, continued to investigate the cause of the blaze late into Sunday night.

John Lamb, spokesman for the American Red Cross of Maine, said the organization was assisting 15 to 20 people displaced by the fire.

Sunday’s conflagration is the second major fire at a Biddeford apartment building in little over two months. Two men died as a result of smoke inhalation from a Sept. 18 fire at an apartment building on Main Street. Dylan Collins, 18, of Biddeford was arrested earlier this month on charges of arson related to that fire.

Information about who owns the building was not immediately available.

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©2014 the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine)

Visit the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) at www.bangordailynews.com

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