Maine Officials Investigate Three-Mile Stretch of Fires
Source Portland Press Herald, Maine
May 16--State officials say that although they have a good idea what caused the three-mile stretch of fires that sprouted along railroad tracks in Old Orchard Beach and parts of Saco and Scarborough last week, they are not yet ready to release their findings.
The fires destroyed sections of the Wagon Wheel RV Resort and Campground at Old Orchard Beach, including 10 seasonal trailers and several propane tanks. The fires also damaged seven other trailers. The damage was exacerbated because the campground was just opening for the season and many of the propane tanks used for fuel by summer vacationers had recently been filled.
The fires caused $250,000 in damage at the campground, fire officials said. The estimate will allow owners of the trailers to file insurance claims.
The persistent fires drew 75 firefighters from 20 communities.
The fires erupted just as a freight train passed and some residents reported seeing sparks coming from beneath the train as it passed. Pan Am Railways owns the freight train and the track.
A Pan Am spokeswoman said the train was inspected when it reached its destination in Dover, New Hampshire, but there was no sign the train was responsible for the fires. Railroad officials said last week that the inspection found that the engines' exhaust was clean and the brakes showed no signs of a malfunction.
The Maine Forestry Service is in charge of investigating the cause of the fires. Identifying who is at fault could influence liability and regulatory issues.
John Bott, spokesman for the Forestry Service, said Friday that while almost done, the results of the investigation are not ready to be released because there are still some details that need to be incorporated.
"We'll have something to say in the near future," he said.
The results will identify who is at fault for the fires, including whether the freight train was responsible and how.
"We want to be absolutely sure. That's why we want the few remaining pieces of information," Bott said.
David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at:
Twitter: @Mainehenchman
Copyright 2014 - Portland Press Herald, Maine
