A significant and dangerous fire erupted on Friday evening, sending flames and smoke over Portland's historic waterfront. The blaze, which required a major emergency response, broke out around 6 pm local time at the Custom House Wharf, located in the Old Port area near Commercial Street.
Emergency Response and Public Advisory
The Portland Fire Department (PFD) escalated the incident to a third-alarm fire, indicating its severity and complexity. In an official statement posted on social media platform X early Saturday, authorities urgently advised the public to steer clear of the affected zone. The statement highlighted that the area is home to several waterfront businesses and that crews were actively fighting a large fire along Maine's working waterfront. The cause of the fire and potential injuries remained unknown as firefighters worked to contain the situation.
Maine Governor Janet Mills confirmed her administration was closely monitoring the event. "I am aware of the fire on the Portland waterfront and my administration is monitoring the situation. Please avoid the area and follow the direction of local fire and public safety officials," the Governor stated.
Dramatic Scenes and Multi-Town Effort
Videos and photographs from the scene captured the intensity of the fire, showing large flames consuming a structure and thick smoke billowing over the harbor, visible from South Portland. The fire appeared to originate from a warehouse-type building, with flames erupting through the roof.
The scale of the fire necessitated a collaborative effort. While the Portland Fire Department led the response, firefighting crews from neighbouring towns including Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, and Westbrook also rushed to the scene to assist. Dozens of firefighters converged on Maritime Antiques on Commercial Street, focusing their efforts on the wharf.
Firefighting Challenges and Structural Collapse
According to local media reports, firefighters were seen dousing flames on the roof of the Maritime Antiques building and checking adjacent businesses to ensure no one was inside. They also ran hoses to the nearby Sea Bags building as a precautionary measure.
The operation faced a critical moment when firefighters were ordered off the roof for their safety. Shortly after, the roof succumbed to the fire and collapsed, sending a massive plume of smoke down an alley toward Commercial Street. Despite this setback, firefighters appeared to have gained control over the blaze by approximately 7:30 pm.
As the fire and smoke subsided, the extent of the damage became clearer. A garage door to one of the businesses was wide open, revealing the wreckage of the collapsed roof and other debris inside the structure. The full impact on the waterfront businesses is yet to be assessed.
