BANGOR, Maine — City firefighters were able to quickly knock down a fire at 45 Patten St. on Friday morning, according to the city’s fire chief.
Bangor police Sgt. Tim Cotton said in a Friday afternoon update that a human element is believed to be involved in starting the blaze.
The fire was reported at about 10:30 a.m., Bangor Fire Chief Tom Higgins said at the scene.
The house is across the street from a burned-out home at 44 Patten St. the city is seeking to raze under the state’s dangerous building law. A fire gutted that house in July 2013.
Higgins said Friday’s fire started in a kitchen wall of the abandoned building. The chief said it’s an older building, but he was not sure how old.
When firefighters arrived, smoke was billowing out of the back side of the building, but crews were able to enter via an access door and douse the fire.
“We’re a little cautious on buildings like this that are placarded not knowing the condition of them,” Higgins said. “They took a cautious approach and knocked it down from the kitchen door.”
Higgins said Bangor firefighters had the fire under control within five minutes of the response. No mutual aid was required, and no injuries were reported.
The state fire marshal’s office was called to aid Bangor police in the investigation. Anyone with information on the incident should contact Bangor police at 947-7384 and ask to speak to Detective Tim Shaw. The department’s tip line can be accessed by pressing ext. 6.
