The Portland Fire Department, along with mutual aid companies from South Portland, Westbrook, and Cape Elizabeth, responded to a significant commercial building fire in downtown Portland on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The three-alarm fire broke out at approximately 2:15 p.m. in a four-story historic building on Congress Street between Oak and Pine Streets.
Fire Chief Keith Gautreau arrived on scene within minutes of the initial dispatch and quickly escalated the incident to a three-alarm response due to the intensity of the flames visible from the street level. Approximately 65 firefighters from seven agencies worked together to combat the blaze, which proved challenging given the age and construction of the historic building.
Evacuation and Life Safety
The building, which housed several small businesses and offices on its upper floors, was evacuated immediately upon discovery of the fire. An office building manager on the third floor first noticed smoke and activated the fire alarm system, allowing tenants to evacuate safely. Portland Police Department personnel assisted with building evacuation and street closures to ensure public safety and allow emergency responders adequate access.
“All occupants were accounted for and evacuated safely,” said Fire Chief Gautreau during a brief statement at the scene. “We conducted primary and secondary searches to ensure no one remained in the building. Our firefighters worked aggressively to control the fire and prevent its spread to adjacent structures.”
Firefighting Operations
The blaze was declared under control at 4:22 p.m., with crews continuing defensive and interior attack operations for several hours afterward to ensure complete extinguishment. The fire’s origin appeared to be on the second floor of the building, though investigations by the state fire marshal’s office would later determine the exact cause. Preliminary assessments indicated the fire may have started in an unoccupied office space.
Firefighters faced significant challenges including the building’s narrow alley access, which limited equipment placement, and the thick, heavy smoke that poured from the structure. Several firefighters were treated at the scene for minor heat exhaustion, though no serious injuries to emergency responders were reported.
Community Impact and Cleanup
Congress Street was closed to vehicle traffic between Oak and Pine Streets for approximately eight hours while emergency crews worked. The road was reopened to traffic at approximately 10:30 p.m. Thursday evening. Local businesses in adjacent buildings were asked to close for the day as a precautionary measure due to smoke exposure and safety concerns.
The building sustained significant damage to its interior, with the second and third floors experiencing the most extensive fire damage. The exact dollar amount of damage was not immediately available, pending a full assessment by building engineers and insurance adjusters.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office has opened an investigation into the cause of the fire. Anyone with information about the fire or the building prior to the incident is asked to contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 207-626-3888.
