Fire crews respond to 5-alarm blaze in downtown Norway
Aug. 27—NORWAY — Firefighters responded to a five-alarm structure fire Saturday afternoon at 17 Deering St., where at least one woman was taken to the hospital.
Bystanders said the fire started after noon. Several said they believe the building to be a multifamily structure.
At 2:30 p.m., flames could be seen coming from the second floor of the two-story building. Damage was visible from the first floor to the roof. Firefighters cut through the roof around 3:30 p.m.
Matthew Leonard, who lives across the street from the building at 35 Deering St., said he came outside around 12:30 p.m. and saw a woman with two children run from the building, with flames shooting out of it.
Four local people carried a heavy set woman out of the building before firefighters arrived, he said. The woman was later loaded into an ambulance and transported to the hospital.
Other injuries could not be confirmed as of 5 p.m.
The fire was so hot, Leonard said he could feel it standing from over 50 feet away.
Before the firefighters arrived, Leonard said he was worried the blaze would spread to neighboring buildings, including a shelter located at 25 Deering St.
No other buildings appear to have caught fire.
Once firefighters showed up, the flames were beat down quickly, he said.
The fire was under control by 5 p.m. and officials say the building is a loss. The Office of State Fire Marshal is on scene to investigate.
The Red Cross was requested to help four adults and two children.
Firefighters from West Paris, Oxford, Norway, South Paris, Poland, Hebron, Harrison, Auburn and Greenwood were at the scene.
Local police deferred to Maine State Police for more information on the investigation.
