BETHEL — A fire at the Mayville Union House early Saturday morning, July 18, caused heavy smoke damage, according to Bethel fire Chief Mike Jodrey.

The restaurant, which opened earlier this year, is located on Route 2 just outside Bethel Village.

“The call came in around 4 a.m. as a fire alarm,” Jodrey said. “As we were leaving the station, dispatch advised of more alarms going off, and a third time as we were en route.  As we got closer we could see it was an actual structure fire on the porch — heavy fire with two small explosions from gas line ruptures.”

Jodrey said he and two other firefighters, in two trucks, were able to knock down the fire “fairly quickly.” He said the sprinkler system worked as it should and held the fire to the exterior. 

“There was heavy smoke damage inside, as well as water in the kitchen from the sprinkler head,” Jodrey said. “The state fire marshal’s office was on site investigating, and it is not considered suspicious, the true cause to be determined.” 

No one was in the building at the time, he said.

Also responding were Newry firefighters and Bethel Rescue. “Greenwood and Woodstock were called, but were held back in reserve,” Jodrey said.

He added that halfway through the fire, a call came in for a vehicle rollover with a broken Central Maine Power pole on Route 26 south of Bethel. “Newry Fire handled that call with a second Bethel fire crew,” said Jodrey.

He expressed his appreciation to all responders, and to the Rusty Lantern for providing food and coffee to the responders.

“We were back in quarters at 8 a.m., cleaning equipment, and back in service around 9,” Jodrey said.

The Mayville Union House is owned by Harding Lee Smith and Sarah Smith, according to its website.

Alison Aloisio is a freelance writer.