UPDATE: A devastating three-alarm fire erupted at Custom House Wharf in Portland on January 12, 2024, destroying one business and causing significant damage to others, including boats. The blaze ignited around 5:30 p.m. and quickly spread, prompting emergency calls from witnesses aboard Casco Bay Lines ferries.
Portland Fire Department officials confirmed that the fire likely originated in a boat repair shop, although the specific cause remains under investigation. The flames rapidly engulfed the adjacent Maritime Antiques store and affected the nearby Sea Bags Factory Store, leaving destruction in their wake.
Deputy Fire Chief John Hendricks reported that firefighters battled not only the fire but also treacherous icy conditions. Frozen hydrants burst, flooding the area with about a foot of water, complicating their efforts. Firefighters from multiple departments, including Westbrook, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, joined the approximately 100 firefighters activated to control the situation.
As smoke billowed over the harbor, fireboats responded swiftly, deploying master streams from the water. “The fireboat was of great assistance,” Hendricks stated, highlighting the difficulty faced on the ground. Crews attacked the blaze from various angles, including the roof of Maritime Antiques, until a sudden burst of flames forced them to retreat.
The fire was brought under control by 7:30 p.m., but not before significant destruction occurred. “I know a number of guys have wet feet tonight,” Hendricks remarked, as firefighters trudged through the flooded area after the incident. Fortunately, only one firefighter reported a minor injury; no civilian injuries were confirmed.
By 9:00 p.m., the chaos had subsided, leaving the half-flooded wharf eerily quiet. The repair shop lay in ruins, with the roof of Maritime Antiques collapsed inside. “A number of boats that were slipped on that side of the building did sustain some minor damage,” Hendricks noted, adding that one boat may have sunk.
The Custom House Wharf area, known for its seafood restaurants like Harbor Fish Market and Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room, will be closely monitored as the investigation continues. Members from the Office of the State Fire Marshal have initiated a preliminary investigation, which will resume on January 13, 2024.
As the community rallies to support affected businesses, local onlookers expressed their gratitude to firefighters, with some offering hot chocolate to help warm the weary crews.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as authorities work to determine the cause and assess the full extent of the damage.
