On Monday, Feb. 10 at 1:50 p.m., Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, Edgecomb and Southport Fire Departments responded to a call for a structure fire at the Boothbay Harbor Sewer District. Fire crews arriving on scene found a two-story maintenance garage on fire, with flames engulfing the second story and penetrating through the roof.

Boothbay Harbor Fire established overall command and organized an aggressive attack of the structure, with interior attack teams entering the first floor in an attempt to gain access to the fire, and exterior fire teams directing water from hoses to the second story. Due to zero visibility, high temperatures exceeding 600 degrees and the fact that the fire had consumed the staircase, interior attack teams were removed from the structure, regrouped and deployed Boothbay Harbor’s aerial ladder to gain access to the roof, where firefighters cut a hole to allow large amounts of water to be sprayed directly from the ladder into the second story.

Additionally, Fire Chief Nick Upham ordered fire crews away from the building due to the risk of a complete collapse due to the loss of structural integrity of the second floor and support beams, however fire crews using the aerial ladder were able to maintain control of the fire.

Chief Upham noted “Upon arriving on scene and seeing the extent of the fire we realized we had to execute an aggressive fire attack to quickly control and knock down the fire, due to the very close proximity of the sewer district infrastructure and several surrounding homes. It was a stubborn fire, but we were fortunate in having a great mutual aid response, and working as an integrated team were able to keep the fire contained to the maintenance structure.”

Nine fire trucks, and 34 firefighters supported fire operations, and fire crews deployed over 700 feet of hose, and three attack lines to fight the fire. Due to the proximity of a fire hydrant, crews were able to quickly gain access to a robust water supply, feeding attack engines and the ladder truck.

Boothbay Region Ambulance Service was on scene providing medical rehab and treatment for firefighters, and the Boothbay Region Fire Auxiliary also provided much need food, water and drinks for responding fire and rescue crews. Boothbay Harbor Police provided on scene traffic control, and Sea Street was closed for two hours due to fire operations.

Boothbay Harbor Sewer District Superintendent David Pratt noted that “we were very fortunate in having such a quick and effective response by fire crews, and it could have been much worse. The waste treatment plant infrastructure was not damaged, and the collection and treatment systems are operating normally. While we don’t know the cause of the fire at this time, I was able to get our $150,000 support truck removed from the building before fire spread to the first floor.”

Chief Upham noted there were no injuries reported, and the state Fire Marshall will be investigating the fire. Fire crews departed the scene at 4:30 p.m.