PORTLAND, Maine — A three-story building on Pembroke Street in Portland caught fire again Friday morning, forcing traffic diversions along Veranda Street while crews worked to contain the situation.
Crews responded to a call at that same address Thursday evening.
The Portland Fire Department urged people to avoid the Veranda Street area Friday morning while crews responded to the three-alarm fire. Portland police closed off the street from Washington Avenue to Sherwood Street until about 11 a.m.
NEWS CENTER Maine sent crews to the area, where officials there said the source of the fire was coming from the top floor of the three-unit residential building.
Crews responded to the initial call around 5:15 a.m. and were able to knock down the bulk of the fire around 6:20 a.m., the department said in a news release.
Officials confirmed at the scene that it was the second time within 24 hours that they were responding to a fire at this address.
A news release issued later Friday morning said a smaller fire broke out in the building Thursday during the heavy thunderstorm, but officials said they were unable to determine at the time of the release whether the fires were related.
Seven people who were living in the building were already displaced Thursday during that fire before the second fire broke out Friday. Fire officials said neither fire appeared to be suspicious. No injuries were reported, and both fires are being investigated.
For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app.