Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

April 20, 2011

Brunswick fire destroys three businesses

By The Mainebiz News Staff

An electrical malfunction was likely the cause of a Sunday fire that destroyed a downtown Brunswick building, displacing at least a dozen people and three businesses.

The fire heavily damaged the 174-year-old building at 45 Maine St., forcing crews to demolish it, according to The Forecaster. The three-story building, known as the Firestone Building or St. Onge's Block, was home to a number of apartments and at least three businesses: Wildflours Bakery, massage business Kneaded Touch and online auction business EZ Auctionnet. All three business owners said they planned to reopen at other locations. Brunswick Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Emerson told the paper that the building had "outstanding issues pertaining to fire and life safety" and that the department had been working with its owners to correct unspecified problems. Sue and Orville Ranger of Brunswick owned the building for 30 years, but told the paper they were not sure if they would rebuild it.

According to various reports, between 13 and 17 people were left homeless by the fire. Four of the 11 units were rented to low-income residents who received Section 8 housing assistance, according to The Times Record. It was the third fire this year to strike a multi-unit apartment building in Brunswick, and a total of 49 people have been affected by those fires.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

Comments

Order a PDF