Two people were injured and two buildings destroyed as a result of a weekend fire in Van Buren, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.
The Van Buren Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at 58 Main St. at 11:23 p.m. on Dec. 6, according to public safety spokesperson Shannon Moss.
“The owner of 58 Main Street discovered the fire after hearing crackling sounds and discovering a fire involving his pellet stove,” Moss said. “The owner attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher; however, the fire continued to spread.”
Crews arrived to find “heavy fire conditions,” according to Moss.
“Due to the proximity of neighboring structures and the risk of further spread, the department utilized an excavator to perform an emergency demolition of the building while firefighting operations continued,” Moss said.
One firefighter was injured after slipping on ice and the building’s owner suffered smoke inhalation, according to Moss. The two were transported to Cary Medical Center in Caribou.
The building at 58 Main St. and an adjacent, unoccupied building at 56 Main St. are a complete loss, according to Moss.
The fire is under investigation, but its cause likely involved the pellet stove, according to Moss.
