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Two unaccounted for after Gardiner fire

Fire damages buildings in downtown Gardiner

Jason Daugherty SOURCE: Jason Daugherty
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Two unaccounted for after Gardiner fire
Fire damages buildings in downtown Gardiner
The Maine Fire Marshal's Office said investigators are looking for two people who are unaccounted for after Thursday's fire in downtown Gardiner.App users tap here to watch the reportThe Fire Marshal's Office said Kerry Davis and Sean Smith have not been seen since the fire. They are asked to contact police immediately.Investigators said remains believed to have been found in the building Friday afternoon turned out not to be human.They don't believe there are any bodies in the rubble.Fire marshals also want to contact three people seen outside the fire scene to make sure they are safe. The tenants are Darrin Jones, Robert Gagnon and Lisa Moore.Fire marshals are working with contractors to develop a strategy on how to get into the buildings, which are unstable.Three firefighters and one resident were taken to the hospital following the fire.Photos: Crews battle Gardiner fireFire Chief Al Nelson said three firefighters were sent to the hospital when a roof collapsed and they were hit with falling bricks. He described their injuries as non-life-threatening.“The bricks from the wall came showering down on the firefighters that were working,” Nelson said.A tenant in the building was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, Nelson said. His or her condition was not known as of 9 p.m. Thursday.Video: Paul Merrill reports from the sceneOfficials said the fire started at 235 Water St. around 4:15 p.m. The chief said the building has both apartments and commercial space. He said the building is a total loss. Heavy smoke could be seen pouring from the building. More than 10 departments across central Maine responded.Video: Drone captures Gardiner fire from aboveWMTW's Paul Merrill said it looked like the fire started on the top floor. He said the fire looked to have spread to other buildings, including Gerard's Pizza. At 6:30 p.m., Merrill said it appeared the roof had caved in. He said evacuations were ordered.Nelson said the fire spread to three buildings to the left of where the fire started.“One of the things that saved us from the fire spreading to the right side was that the fire wall was still intact,” Nelson said.Raw video: Flames consume Gardiner buildingNelson said crews had to fight the fire from both the front and back of the building, making it difficult for crews. He said the buildings were more than 100 years old and close together.Raw video: Fire burns Gardiner buildingThe fire appeared to be put out around 8 p.m.According to the city of Gardiner, tenants displaced by the fire will be able to spend the night free of charge at the Motel 6 in Augusta. The Red Cross is assisting.The number of people displaced and the cause of the fire have not yet been determined.Water Street remained closed Friday morning.Raw video: Crews hose Gardiner buildingLike WMTW on Facebook | Follow WMTW on Twitter | Download the WMTW App

The Maine Fire Marshal's Office said investigators are looking for two people who are unaccounted for after Thursday's fire in downtown Gardiner.

App users tap here to watch the report

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The Fire Marshal's Office said Kerry Davis and Sean Smith have not been seen since the fire. They are asked to contact police immediately.

Investigators said remains believed to have been found in the building Friday afternoon turned out not to be human.

They don't believe there are any bodies in the rubble.

Fire marshals also want to contact three people seen outside the fire scene to make sure they are safe. The tenants are Darrin Jones, Robert Gagnon and Lisa Moore.

Fire marshals are working with contractors to develop a strategy on how to get into the buildings, which are unstable.

Three firefighters and one resident were taken to the hospital following the fire.

Photos: Crews battle Gardiner fire

Fire Chief Al Nelson said three firefighters were sent to the hospital when a roof collapsed and they were hit with falling bricks. He described their injuries as non-life-threatening.

“The bricks from the wall came showering down on the firefighters that were working,” Nelson said.

A tenant in the building was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, Nelson said. His or her condition was not known as of 9 p.m. Thursday.

Video: Paul Merrill reports from the scene

Officials said the fire started at 235 Water St. around 4:15 p.m. The chief said the building has both apartments and commercial space. He said the building is a total loss. Heavy smoke could be seen pouring from the building. More than 10 departments across central Maine responded.

Video: Drone captures Gardiner fire from above

WMTW's Paul Merrill said it looked like the fire started on the top floor. He said the fire looked to have spread to other buildings, including Gerard's Pizza. At 6:30 p.m., Merrill said it appeared the roof had caved in. He said evacuations were ordered.

Nelson said the fire spread to three buildings to the left of where the fire started.

“One of the things that saved us from the fire spreading to the right side was that the fire wall was still intact,” Nelson said.

Raw video: Flames consume Gardiner building

Nelson said crews had to fight the fire from both the front and back of the building, making it difficult for crews. He said the buildings were more than 100 years old and close together.

Raw video: Fire burns Gardiner building

The fire appeared to be put out around 8 p.m.

According to the city of Gardiner, tenants displaced by the fire will be able to spend the night free of charge at the Motel 6 in Augusta. The Red Cross is assisting.

The number of people displaced and the cause of the fire have not yet been determined.

Water Street remained closed Friday morning.

Raw video: Crews hose Gardiner building

Like WMTW on Facebook | Follow WMTW on Twitter | Download the WMTW App