A 15-year-old has been charged with arson in connection with a fire at an abandoned building in Gorham Wednesday afternoon.
The Gorham Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 23 Tow Path Road at about 2:55 p.m., and when they arrived, firefighters saw heavy smoke and fire from the uninhabited, boarded-up residence, which had been vacant for several years.
The Gorham Fire Department, with help from Windham firefighters, contained and extinguished the fire. No damage occurred to surrounding properties and no injuries were reported. The building had no electrical service.
Investigators deemed the circumstances suspicious and found that a board covering a front window had been pulled down and a boarded entry door showed signs of forced damage.
Following a joint investigation by Gorham police and the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office, authorities believe the teenager entered the vacant building and intentionally started the fire, according to a press release.
The juvenile was charged with Class A arson and released to his parents’ custody. The family has been cooperative, officials said.
Investigators are asking residents in the area who have security or surveillance cameras to review their footage for any activity that may be relevant to the investigation.