Maine Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Blaze at a Vacant Maine Mill

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety's Shannon Moss, the Maine Fire Marshal's Office is in the process of investigating a blaze at a vacant mill in Sanford, Maine.

The press release explains that the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is working with the Sanford Police Department and the Sanford Fire Department to investigate a fire that broke out Monday morning at the vacant International Woolen Mill in Sanford.

The fire was reported shortly before 9 AM and drew a large response from local fire and law enforcement agencies.  When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from part of the long-abandoned mill complex and spent several hours bringing the fire under control.

Fortunately, it appears that there were no injuries as a result of the fire.

The building has been empty for years and is regularly checked by local officials because of ongoing safety issues and trespassing concerns.

After an on-scene investigation, officials determined that the fire was likely set intentionally, and the case is now being investigated as arson.

This is not the first time that there has been a fire at a Sanford Mill.  According to an article in the Portland Press Herald, there was a devastating blaze at the Stenton Trust Mill in 2017.  More than 100 firefighters came out to battle that fire.

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