Portland Mayor Mark Dion has high praise for the Portland Fire Department for its handling of Friday night’s 3-alarm fire on the waterfront at the Custom House Wharf.
“I think the fire department did one hell of a job knocking that fire down, but more importantly, defending all the other buildings from catching flames from the source of the ignition,” said Dion. “So, my hat goes off to them, and I’m sure everyone on that pier appreciates that effort.”
A boat repair shop was deemed a total loss, while there was heavy damage to Nanqu Kayaks, Maritime Antiques, and the Sea Bags factory store.
Numerous boats tied to the wharf sustained damage from the fire, including one that sank.
Two firefighters received minor injuries that did not require special treatment, and no other injuries were reported.
“In terms of the fire itself, I know the state fire marshal is involved in an investigation with the Portland Fire Department,” said Dion. “I’m expecting that they will come out with a conclusion and an assessment of the cause of that fire, maybe the origin that’s in their yard to figure out. So, I’m going to wait like everyone else for those results.”
So far, investigators have determined there is no indication of foul play. But they’ve also said that due to the extent of the fire damage, it is unlikely that an exact cause will be identified.
Response for firefighters was complicated by frozen fire hydrants, which meant the fire department’s fire boat played a major role in battling the fire
Dion says the city will do everything possible to get the damaged businesses back up and running.
“Whether it’s permitting or inspections or just clearing the bureaucratic red tape away from this, that we can get them back in business quickly is the best thing that we could do as a city,” said Dion.
Dion says there was massive support among all businesses to help those with damaged buildings.
“I don’t think the hoses had been cleared from the scene, and there was already organizing going on in the general community,” Dion said. “And in that specific community, a budding Custom House (Wharf) to see what they could do to raise money to help uplift the goal of reconstruction and putting people back in place and working.”
