Fire destroys P.I. snowmobile clubhouse

By Julia Bayly, Special to the BDN

Posted Jan. 25, 2009, at 7:02 p.m.
Last modified Feb. 13, 2011, at 11:03 a.m.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PRESQUE ISLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Presque Isle Fire Department received a report of a structure fire Sunday morning in the area of Spragueville Road. When firefighters arrived the fire was found to be just off State Park Road at the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club. The structure was engulfed in flames and the roof had completely collapsed. Crews started attacking the fire, concentrating initially on preventing it from reaching a 250-pound propane tank. Buy Photo

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — An early afternoon fire of undetermined origin destroyed a building owned by the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club off State Park Road on Saturday.

According to a release issued by Presque Isle Fire Department Deputy Chief Richard Wark, flames from the structure were visible as firefighters approached and the building’s roof was collapsed when they arrived.

Forty firefighters responded to the alarm from the Presque Isle department, with mutual aid supplied by the Easton and Mapleton fire departments at the scene.

The crews faced snow and temperatures hovering around 15 degrees below zero as they initially concentrated on preventing the fire from reaching a 250-pound propane tank.

Crown Ambulance Service also responded to the alarm, providing medical coverage and a place for firefighters to warm up.

According to Wark, two firefighters suffered minor injuries in fighting the blaze. Crews remained at the scene until 6:30 that evening.

The building was vacant at the time of the fire, the cause of which remains under investigation.