OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — The state fire marshal’s office ruled Wednesday that a four-alarm fire that destroyed the vacant Americana Motel in Old Orchard Beach was a case of arson.
First responders were called to Heath Street a little before 9 p.m. Tuesday. Crews remained on the scene Wednesday morning, putting out hot spots and searching for a cause.
The town’s fire chief confirmed that the building was vacant at the time of the blaze. Firefighters believe the fire started on the building’s second story.
The motel was set to be demolished next month.
One witness who lives next door says the fire spread within minutes.
“I went inside and grabbed my coat and came back out and by the time I got my coat on and came back out, which couldn’t have taken more than two minutes, the whole thing was up in flames, I’ve never seen something go up that fast,” said Mike Day.
Crews closed First Street and Heath Street for several hours, and the power was out in the surrounding area due to the flames.