MILLINOCKET, Maine — Crews responded to a fire Sunday morning in Millinocket that left two firefighters injured and rendered a vacant, former bank building a total loss.
Millinocket Fire Chief Jonathan Cote told NEWS CENTER Maine crews responded to a fire at a vacant commercial building next to the Millinocket Town Office located on Penobscot Avenue around 7:30 a.m.
The vacant structure was formerly a bank, according to the Mattawamkeag Fire Department.
When crews arrived, heavy flames were seen coming from the building and a contractor was called to use construction vehicles to access some areas of the structure, Cote said.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and have since been released after they were brought to a local hospital.
Cote said the building was deemed a total loss. The town office building next door and other businesses were damaged in the fire.
The cause of the fire remains unclear.
Several fire departments assisted with the blaze, and the fire marshal's office remains on scene. As of 12:15 p.m., the building was seen still smoking.
Those in the area were asked to avoid downtown Millinocket due to the blaze.
NEWS CENTER Maine has a crew at the scene working to learn more. This story will be updated.