By Trevor Maxwell
Portland Press Herald
Copyright 2007 Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
BIDDEFORD, Maine — About 60 firefighters were able to keep a major apartment house fire from spreading to other downtown buildings on Saturday night.
The fire at 34 Center St. started about 6:45 p.m. and quickly moved through the two-story structure, filling downtown with thick plumes of smoke. Several blocks were shut down to vehicles, and dozens of onlookers watched from behind yellow caution tape.
Firefighters and neighbors believe all the building’s tenants escaped without injury, but firefighters were unable to enter the building Saturday night, because of the risk of structural collapse. By 11 p.m., after four hours, firefighters had the blaze fully under control.
“It is a stubborn fire,” said Deputy Fire Chief Marc Bellefeuille said. His and other firefighters’ coats were covered in ice because water from the hoses had sprayed backward and then frozen in the 15-degree cold.
“Safety is definitely an issue tonight,” Bellefeuille said.
One Biddeford firefighter was taken to the hospital because of smoke inhalation. Another suffered a minor injury when he slipped on the ice.
Firefighters contained the blaze to one building, even though the buildings on either side are about 10 feet away.
Neighbors said at least five adults, three children and several pets lived in four units at 34 Center St. Tenants were taken to Biddeford High School to receive assistance from the Red Cross. Tenants from two adjacent buildings also were evacuated, because their power was cut off.
The Red Cross set up a temporary shelter at the high school and expected as many as 35 people late Saturday night, agency spokeswoman Amy Barnes said. Food and drinks were provided to the families.
Crews from Saco, Goodwins Mills and Kennebunkport assisted, Bellefeuille said.
An investigator from the state Fire Marshal’s Office was there, Bellefeuille said, but it was too early to speculate on a cause.