AUBURN – The smell of wood smoke is common in early November. But the flames and smoke Thursday along East Hardscrabble Road was not solely the result of wood stoves and furnaces.

Firefighters were back at the former Mid-State College to hone their skills by burning down more sections of the 137-year-old school.

Lewiston and Auburn fire departments have been using the college buildings for training since the end of July. According to Auburn Fire Chief Wayne Werts, it has resulted in hundreds of hours of training as well as the certification of arson-detection dogs from this country and Canada.

Crews from Auburn and Lewiston fire departments have been joined by the Maine Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators at the burn site.

In 2003, Mid-State College closed its door after administrators failed to get accreditation for the school.