LEWISTON – One person was left homeless, but no one was hurt Friday afternoon when flames tore through an apartment at the top of a Bartlett Street tenement.
Firefighters knocked the flames down within minutes of their arrival, but the third-floor apartment at 131 Bartlett St. was destroyed.
The fire started in a bedroom at the back of the building and investigators believe smoking may have been the cause.
The 2 p.m. fire brought police and fire crews from all directions. A portion of Bartlett Street between Birch and Walnut streets was blocked to traffic as firefighters battled the blaze.
Early reports were that the entire roof of the building was in flames. Most witnesses, however, reported seeing smoke rolling from the top of the three-story apartment house.
The tenement is across the street from Albert’s Variety, near the corner of Bartlett and Walnut streets. There are buildings on both sides of it, including another three-story apartment building roughly 6 feet away.
“It was a good save by the Fire Department,” said Lewiston police Deputy Chief Michael Bussiere. “The flames could have easily spread beyond the third floor and to nearby buildings.”
A man lived alone in the apartment that burned, according to Lewiston fire investigator Paul Ouellette. The bottom two floors were vacant.
Firefighters attacked the flames from a ladder in the front and from a metal staircase in the rear of the building. Damage was mostly contained to the third-floor apartment, fire officials said. Ouellette estimated the damage at between $30,000 and $40,000.
The building is owned by local businessman Joe Dunn. Fire inspector Pete Morrell was continuing to investigate the blaze Friday night.
Once the fire was brought under control, Lewiston police notified the local chapter of the American Red Cross that one person had lost a home and belongings.
The Red Cross sent representatives to the fire scene and began preparations to provide food, clothes and lodging to the victim.
To help the chapter provide disaster relief assistance to this disaster victim and assistance to other disaster victims within the chapter’s service area, contributions can be made to the United Valley Chapter, American Red Cross, P.O. Box 439, Auburn, ME 04212.
Red Cross officials ask contributors to designate donations for the Local Disaster Relief Fund. Inquiries may be made at the United Valley Chapter office at 207-795-4004.
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