Residents escaped without serious injury from a pre-dawn fire on Southport island on Tuesday, May 6 that demolished a duplex rental across from Robinson’s Wharf. Southport Fire Chief Gerry Gamage said the blaze was caused by a resident smoking in bed.

Gamage said the call came in around 4:30 a.m. and mutual aid was automatically requested.

“When we arrived on scene, the whole north end of the building was involved,” Gamage said. “But we were able to knock it down pretty quick. We got it under control in under an hour.”

Gamage said that although half the building was lost in the blaze, all residents inside escaped without serious injuries. Gamage praised quick action by Southport bridgetender Joe Jacobs, who was one of the first on the scene.

“The bridge tender went out of his way to make sure the neighbors got out,” Gamage said, “He did a heck of a job.”

Boothbay Fire Chief Dick Spofford said when his crew arrived on scene, they were unable to cross the Southport Island bridge with the fire truck.

“We couldn’t get across because an electrical wire was involved in the fire,” Spofford said, “Southport fire department was fighting the fire on the island and we were able to reach the blaze with our deck gun from the far side of the bridge.”’

Gamage said firefighters drew water from hydrants on the Boothbay Harbor side of the bridge and at Robinson’s Wharf.

Due to the downed power line and the fire hoses, the  Southport bridge was closed for over two hours.