BANGOR, Maine - At approximately 11:50 p.m. on May 12, the Bangor Fire Department responded to a fire outside a commercial building at 257 Harlow St. Upon arrival, Bangor Police confirmed a working fire, prompting dispatchers to upgrade the response to a first alarm building fire. This brought a total of 12 firefighters from Central Station and Station 6, including an additional engine, ladder truck, two rescues, and an Assistant Chief.
Engine 1 arrived on scene at 11:58 p.m. and found two large trash receptacles fully involved, with flames reaching an unoccupied structure. Fire crews quickly extinguished the exterior fire and entered the building to check for further fire spread. Crews located and extinguished additional fire that had extended into the walls and ceiling. Fire personnel remained on site to secure the building and cleared the scene at 2:13 a.m.
Thanks to the swift response and coordinated effort, fire damage was limited to one area of the building, with estimated damages totaling approximately $20,000.
An investigation conducted by the Bangor Police Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause of the fire to be arson. A 30-year-old male was taken into custody and charged with arson in connection with the incident.