RUMFORD — Nine people were displaced in an early-morning fire Wednesday that heavily damaged seven units at Madison Condominiums on Route 2, according to Lt. Keith Bickford of the Rumford Fire Department.
No injuries were reported.
Rumford Fire Department Lt. Keith Bickford said officials were investigating the cause of the blaze.
Officials said the fire was reported shortly after 4:30 a.m. at the former Madison Motor Inn and Restaurant. Everyone got out safely, although one cat was missing, authorities said.
Mark Richardson, who was standing outside the condos with his daughters, said his sister, Merlene Richardson, who lived in Unit 3, got out without taking any belongings.
“’It happened quick, and then the roof collapsed,’” Mark said his sister told him.
Bonnie Aleck, who lived in Unit 1, said she heard a loud knocking at her door around 5 a.m. and was told to leave immediately because of the fire. She said she left without taking any belongings, but firefighters later retrieved her computer and her cellphone. She was also able to retrieve a few of her possessions after the fire was extinguished.
The American Red Cross said in a news release that disaster response teams were sent to site to “ensure that everyone has a safe place to sleep, food and other essentials.” The agency said it would will stay in contact with the victimes over the the next several days to provide referrals.
Fire crews from Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield, Peru, Newry, Bethel, Canton, Roxbury and Andover responded to the scene.
After a fire earlier this decade when the complex was known as the Madison Motor Inn, owner Richard Theriault was granted approval in 2006 to convert it to condominiums.
The complex sits on 9.2 acres next to the Androscoggin River, two miles west of downtown.
Condo 3 down from where fire started: FD does not have definite word on cause. Believes it to be accidental. @WGME pic.twitter.com/cfJBZ99bGO
— Alexa Maslowski (@AlexaWGME) July 6, 2016
One Rumford condo sustained 100 % damage others with 50-60% damage- no injuries have been reported @WGME pic.twitter.com/euoEZS95nC
— Alexa Maslowski (@AlexaWGME) July 6, 2016
Chief Robert Chase of Rumford says 8 depts. on scene. Fire displaced 15 people. Red Cross on scene to assist @WGME pic.twitter.com/gW0YUhomj9
— Alexa Maslowski (@AlexaWGME) July 6, 2016
FD says the Rumford hotel was actually Condos @WGME pic.twitter.com/NPq0F9LYZV
— Alexa Maslowski (@AlexaWGME) July 6, 2016
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.