One Injured in Fire That Damaged Beloved Central Maine Coffee Shop

If you’ve grabbed a coffee in downtown Wilton lately, you probably know Chaos Coffee Café as one of those cozy little spots that keeps Main Street buzzing. But Sunday evening, the building was filled with smoke instead of the smell of fresh-roasted coffee beans.

According to an article on the WGME website, a Maine State Fire Marshal's Office say that fire crews were called to 430 Main Street around 6:57 Sunday night.  The were called out for a fire at the mixed-use building, which houses the café on the first floor along with a rental unit and apartment upstairs.

Officials say the fire caused major damage to the back portion of the café, while smoke and water damage left the rest of the building unlivable for now.

One female tenant was taken to MaineHealth Franklin Hospital for smoke inhalation.  Thankfully, she was treated and later released.

Investigators say the fire appears to have started accidentally at a coffee roaster inside the café’s kitchen.

The Facebook page for the coffee shop posted about the incident.  That post read, in part:

I honestly don’t even have the words yet. Just heartbreak, exhaustion, and overwhelming gratitude that people are safe.

This little coffee shop has carried so many conversations, celebrations, hard days, laughter, and memories over the last couple years. Seeing it like this is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

THANK YOU to the firefighters, first responders, and EVERYONE who reached out, showed up, called, messaged, and cared.

Chaos has always been more than coffee. It’s people. Community. Family.

For a town like Wilton, where local coffee shops double as community gathering spots, it’s the kind of scene that hits a little differently.  One minute it’s espresso shots and conversation, the next it’s flashing lights reflecting off Main Street windows.

Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the fire.