Dispatches

1:00 AM

AUGUSTA

Three families homeless after apartment house fire

A fire chased three families out of an apartment building on Hospital Street on Friday afternoon, but no one was injured.

Augusta Fire Department Battalion Chief Ed Charles said the state Fire Marshal's Office is investigating how and where the fire started in the four-unit building at 208 Hospital St.

The fire was reported at 2:43 p.m. and was burning strong when firefighters arrived five minutes later.

"I'm not sure how that got past everyone that was driving up and down the highway," he said. "When we got there, there was fire showing over the top of the roof."

Hallowell resident William Bowden, who owns the building, said he bought it four years ago and had put in a new roof and windows. Three of the units were occupied, and he planned to renovate the empty apartment so he and his wife could downsize by moving in.

"I've been a landlord for 35 years, and this is the first fire," Bowden said. "I've never had to deal with anything like this."

Bowden said he believes that residents of all three occupied apartments were home when the fire started. They all made it out safely.

Excerpt from:
Dispatches