The Maine State Fire Marshal is investigating an alleged arson incident in Ellsworth on Wednesday after a vacant single-family residence sustained fire damage.
[RELATED: State Fire Marshal Investigating Suspected Arson at Vacant Mexico Home…]
At approximately 5:50 p.m., the Ellsworth Fire Department responded to 384 Water Street for reports of a structure fire at the vacant home.
The flames were subdued in time to cause only minor fire damage.
The local fire department called in the Fire Marshal’s Office to help identify the cause of the fire.
The Marshal’s Office classified the fire as incendiary, meaning that they believe it was intentionally set.
Fire Marshal investigators are asking nearby residents to review footage from any security cameras they may have for suspicious activity related to the blaze.
Earlier on Wednesday, at approximately 2:55 p.m., the Gorham Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 23 Towpath Road in Gorham at a boarded-up, vacant residence.
The fire department successfully extinguished the flames but determined that the circumstances surrounding the fire were suspicious and called the marshal’s office to assist in the investigation.
Investigators found that, while the building had been boarded up, one board covering a window had been pulled down, and the boarded-up doors showed signs of being forced.
The Marshal’s Office also requested security footage of the Gorham fire.
Authorities did not indicate whether the two incidents are believed to be related.
