PORTLAND, Maine — The cause of a three-alarm fire that destroyed a home at 40 Deering Ave. on Tuesday will remain undetermined because of extensive damage, investigators said Wednesday.
“As with any major fire, the extent of the damage to the building makes determining a cause difficult, if not impossible,” Tim Nangle, spokesman for the Portland Fire Department, said in a release Wednesday. “The building’s structural integrity makes the building dangerous to enter or work around, and our investigators’ safety is our paramount concern.”
The fire was reported about 5 a.m. Tuesday and quickly drew a third alarm.
Homeowner Nancy Teras said she, her husband, stepdaughter and mother escaped the 1890s-era home shortly before the flames broke out on the back wall of the building.
No injuries were reported, but a firefighter was taken to a local hospital for an unrelated medical issue and was discharged a short time later, according to the release.
The owner of the house has opted to demolish the structure, according to Jon Rioux, deputy director of Portland’s inspections division.
Contractors were on site Wednesday evaluating the building for demolition. Residents are asked to avoid the area directly in front of the building on Deering Avenue.