MACHIAS, Maine — Route 1 was closed for about five hours Saturday as firefighters from around the area performed a training exercise in Machias.
Firefighters from Machias, East Machias, Marshfield and Cutler trained on the use of a ladder truck and then burned down a house, which had been vacant for many years.
A handful of onlookers watched small groups of firefighters go up to the roof of the building, discharge their hoses overhead and come back down for another group to go up.
When the fire was lit, at about 11:05 a.m., small amounts of white smoke began to slip through the doors and windows. Gradually the smoke became heavier and blacker before flames were visible.
The roof collapsed at about 11:37 p.m. as flames continued to consume the exterior and interior walls.
At 3:45 p.m., the road was open and the last firefighters left the scene. The remnants of the building were still smoldering.