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Apartment building deemed a total loss after Wells fire

All residents were able to get out safely and no injuries were reported.

WELLS, Maine — An apartment building was deemed a total loss after crews battled a fire in Wells Monday evening.

Wells Fire Chief Mark Dupuis told a NEWS CENTER Maine crew at the scene that a structure fire was reported at about 5:07 p.m. on Sanford Road.

The front porch of the building was on fire, and when crews arrived at the scene, the fire began to shift to inside the building, according to Dupuis.

Dupuis said about 80 to 100 firefighters responded, and as many tankers as possible were called to the scene to begin a water shuttle.

The apartment complex consisted of two buildings. One building was considered a total loss, while the other was deemed salvageable but unlivable for "quite some time."

Capt. Kevin Chabot of the Wells Police Department told NEWS CENTER Maine there were 18 units affected.

All residents were able to get out safely and no injuries were reported.

The fire was mostly extinguished by about 8:30 p.m., but hotspots persisted, Dupuis said.

Credit: Wells Fire Department

Just after 1 a.m. Tuesday, the Wells Fire Department posted on social media confirming the fire was at Pine Tree Commons at 2124 Sanford Rd. 

"Crews immediately checked that all personnel were out of the building after receiving word that the trapped occupant was now out after jumping from a second-floor window," the post stated.

Investigators with the state fire marshal's office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to process the scene and conduct several interviews. 

On Tuesday, investigators determined the fire began outside near the porch. It was caused by "careless disposal of smoking materials," according to Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss.

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