MINOT — A building housing a store, post office and home was struck by fire Saturday.

A post in the Facebook public group “Friends of the Village Trading Post-Minot, Maine,” said:

“The Village Trading Post in West Minot, Maine, was destroyed on September 11, 2021. Along with the Trading Post our town also lost the West Minot Post Office and a residence.

“We will be working to put on some fundraisers to help the LeClair family (who lived above the store) and the owners of the Trading Post.”

The fire department continues to monitor the site of a fire.

“The scene is technically still active as we have responded several times to put out hot spots,” Minot Fire Chief James Allen said in a Facebook post. “Additionally, we have members checking out the scene throughout the night. We expect to see smoke (and) steam until the debris is cleaned up.

“If you see flames please notify 911 so we can put it out.”

Allen added that after State Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF have completed the investigation (probably Tuesday), the scene will be turned over to the owners.

“At that time, clean-up will be the responsibility of the  owner and their insurance carrier,” he said. “Until then, the building is considered an active crime scene. With this said, we are not indicating there was any illegal activity related to the fire, only the investigation process is still taking place.”    

Allen is grateful to the fire departments from Auburn, Mechanic Falls, Poland, Hebron, Turner, Paris, Norway, Buckfield and Oxford for providing mutual aid and to members of the Minot Fire Department. Allen also gave a shout-out to all the merchants who donated food and water to assist the firefighters through “a hot and miserable day.”

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