Nearly sixteen years after the Elm Tree Diner burned down, the Maine fire marshal's office is investigating suspected arson at the Houlton business. Credit: Courtesy Maine State Fire Marshal

The Maine fire marshal’s office has opened an investigation into a weekend fire at a Houlton diner.

According to officials, a fire broke out at the Elm Tree Diner sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The diner at 146 Bangor St., which has been owned and operated by Wendy and Wayne Shaw since 2022, has long been a community staple.

The fire marshal’s office believes that the weekend fire was a case of arson. Further details were not available Wednesday afternoon. Anyone with information can call the Houlton Regional Communications Center at 207-532-5400, or leave a tip on the Arson Hot Line at 1-888-870-6162.

The diner burnt to the ground in September 2009, and reopened in 2010 after it was fully rebuilt.

Leela Stockley is an alumna of the University of Maine. She lives in northern Maine with her two pugs and a cat. Send videos and photo submissions to lstockley@bangordailynews.com.

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