Portland Fire Department and Maine Fire Marshals Office continue investigation historic building fire.

Portland Maine - The Portland Fire Department continued to assist the Maine State Fire Marshals office on the investigation into the multi-million dollar fire on Great Diamond Island.  The fire, noticed around 4:30am Saturday, by the Casco Bay Bridge tender, gutted the former Army barracks which is the largest remaining building on the historic Ft. McKinley grounds.

Firefighters from Portland, Long Island and Great Diamond Island responded and worked for over 12 hours to extinguish the blaze on the Island community off the coast of Portland.

Sgt. Joel Davis of the Maine State Fire Marshals office, along with investigators from the Portland Fire Department, continued interviews with contractors and witnesses as well as viewing the site of the fire Monday.

“At this point the city has determined the structure is unsafe; the next step is for the developer to secure the property in an order to make the area as safe as possible while the investigation continues” said Fire Chief Jerome LaMoria.  LaMoria added “Investigators are working quickly as possible to determine the cause which may require days or even weeks to conclude.  The massive size of the building, extensive damage and conducting the large number of interviews required will take some time”.   Investigators interviewed over 60 employees and witnesses at Ocean Gateway in Portland on Monday.

Portland City Manager Mark Rees indicated “the army barracks is an important part of Portland’s history, the City wants to work with the owner for the best possible outcome in response to this tragic fire.”

The building, which was in the final stages of being redeveloped into a hotel, was unoccupied at the time and there were no injuries reported. Preliminary damage estimates are between 5 and 9 million dollars. ”