A Portland warehouse building that houses multiple businesses on Presumpscot Street was heavily damaged by fire overnight.

A passerby called to report a fire at 160 Presumpscot St. at 2:08 a.m. Friday. The building houses Design Concepts and four or five other businesses, said Capt. John Brennan from the Portland Fire Department.

There was no one in the building, Brennan said. One Portland firefighter was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and was released.

Crews arriving on scene reported a small amount of fire was visible in the one-story section of the building.

“When they opened up the ceiling and roof, they had heavy fire involvement above them,” Brennan said.

Firefighters work Friday morning at 160 Presumpscot St. in Portland, where the roof partially collapsed during a fire. Michele McDonald/Staff Photographer

The fire spread to a two-story section of the building. The fire went to a third alarm at 2:44 a.m., with all Portland resources on scene and assistance arriving from Falmouth and Westbrook fire departments, Brennan said.

The fire was contained within a couple of hours, but crews remained at the building for several hours and traffic was detoured around the scene.

The one-story section of the building is a total loss and the two-story section was heavily damaged. Brennan said fire officials do not know if that section of the building is repairable.

Brennan said investigators were still working to determine the cause of the fire late Friday.


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