The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of a commercial building fire that destroyed a garage and damaged a nearby apartment building early Wednesday morning in Patten.
The Patten Fire Department was dispatched at 4:37 a.m. to a fire at 6 Main St. Upon arrival, firefighters found the Outback Garage fully engulfed in flames. Two tenants who lived in an apartment above the garage were able to escape safely. The building is considered a total loss.
The fire spread to a nearby apartment building, causing significant damage and displacing eight tenants.
Investigators said the fire originated toward the rear of the garage. The use of an excavator during firefighting operations hindered the ability to determine the cause, though a woodstove cannot be ruled out, officials said.
The Patten Fire Department was assisted by Island Falls, Oakfield, Sherman, Stacyville, Mount Chase, Medway and Houlton fire departments, as well as Island Falls Ambulance and Patten Ambulance.
