(Photos) Additional Information from Press Conference Regarding The Fire On Great Diamond Island

Structure was under renovation to become the Inn at Diamond Cove

PORTLAND, Maine – At approximately 4:30 am this morning the City of Portland Fire Department received and responded to a call reporting a structure on fire at 18 McKinley Court on Great Diamond Island. The initial citing of the fire and the call came from the Casco Bay Bridge tender who reported seeing a glow from the island.  The Firefighters responded to find the site of the future Inn at Diamond Cove engulfed in flames. The magnitude of the fire resulted in the need for multiple apparatus. Firefighters and Police Officers from Portland and Long Island as well as Island Volunteers responded. The fire is currently under control, and there were no injuries.  Fire personnel are still at the scene at this time.

The fire and smoke caused significant damage, currently estimated at between $5 - $9 million dollars.  These are rough estimates pending findings from the insurance provider, based upon investment estimates into the Inn project thus far.

According to Deputy Chief Robert Wassick, "Due to the magnitude and location of the fire, we have requested and received approval for the State Fire Marshall's office to assist in the investigation.  This is routine under these circumstances."  The State Fire Marshall's office will provide periodic updates regarding the investigation.  Sgt. Joel Davis, of the State Fire Marshall's office indicated that one of the challenges of the investigation, would be the need to get heavy equipment out to the island.  This equipment is needed to move the heavy debris, necessary in order to fully evaluate evidence at the scene.

The Inn at Diamond Cove is being developed in a former US Army Barracks on the Fort McKinley site on Great Diamond Island. It is a reuse of the last, and largest, building on the complex into a full-service hotel with a variety of room types.  This site is on the National Register of Historic Places.  During the press conference, Director of Planning and Urban Development Director Jeff Levine stated that "this project is a wonderful reuse of a long abandoned property.  While the future status of this project is now unknown, we remain optimistic with regard to development of the site."

The press conference was held at the Fire Department's Central Office, 380 Congress Street at 11:00 am. today.  Deputy Fire Chief Wassick,  Director of Planning and Urban Development Jeff Levine, and Sgt. Joel Davis from the State Fire Marshall's office were interviewed.