A three-alarm fire that tore through Portland’s working waterfront last Friday has left fishermen and fishing-related businesses facing steep losses, prompting an urgent community response and a newly launched relief fundraiser.
The fire broke out Dec. 26 on Custom House Wharf, a historic hub of Maine’s commercial fishing industry, damaging vessels, gear, and waterfront operations that are central to the state’s marine economy. For many fishermen, the blaze struck at the height of the winter season, compounding the financial impact.
In response, the Maine Coast Fishermen Association announced it has established a fundraising campaign at the request of local fishermen to help those affected recover from the fire. The fundraiser is intended to provide the public with a direct way to support working fishermen whose livelihoods were disrupted by the blaze.
Association officials say they are actively communicating with fishermen to assess the extent of the damage and determine how best to direct assistance in the immediate aftermath and over the longer term. Funds raised will be used to support impacted fishing businesses as recovery efforts unfold in the coming weeks and months.
According to organizers, 100 percent of donations, minus standard processing fees charged by online platforms,0 will go directly to those affected by the fire.
As investigators continue to examine the cause of the blaze, the fundraiser reflects a broader show of solidarity from a community rallying around Maine’s working waterfront at a moment of crisis.
You can view the fundraiser here:
