📰BIDDEFORD | Biddeford Fire Department Responds to Building Fire at Elm Street Property By Danica Lamontagne, Contributing Writer

February 3, 2026, The Biddeford Fire Department responded to a reported building fire at the former Sleepy Hollow Motel, located at 297 Elm Street, at approximately 8:26 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

The Biddeford Regional Communications Center received the initial 911 call at 8:26 a.m., with the first unit arriving on scene at 8:30 a.m. Heavy smoke and fire were visible from a 30-by-40-foot, one-and-a-half-story garage that was attached to a single-story motel-style building.

Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at 297 Elm Street, Biddeford, ME

🎥 Footage can be viewed here

Due to the volume of smoke visible while en route, the initial response was upgraded to an “All Hands” fire assignment. Fire crews found heavy fire conditions in the garage area, which also contained a small motel-type room. The buildings were unoccupied and closed for the season at the time of the incident.

Firefighters initially conducted a defensive fire attack due to the intensity of the fire, while simultaneously protecting a nearby four-story, wood-frame apartment building located approximately 30 feet away. Crews also advanced a hose line into the single-story motel portion of the structure to prevent fire spread. Water supply operations were established with assistance from mutual aid departments after one hydrant was found to be frozen.

The fire was brought under control at approximately 9:48 a.m., about one hour and 15 minutes after the first unit arrived on scene. One firefighter sustained an ankle injury after slipping on ice and was transported by EMS to Maine Medical Center Biddeford for evaluation. No civilian injuries were reported.

At the time of this incident, the Biddeford Fire Department was already handling other emergency medical calls. Mutual aid departments provided both on-scene assistance and station coverage, responding to five additional incidents during the fire, including medical calls and smoke investigations.

In total, the response included seven engines, two ladder trucks, and four ambulances from Biddeford and surrounding communities. Additional support on scene was provided by the Biddeford Police Department, Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division, Biddeford School Department (providing a warming bus for firefighters), Central Maine Power, and Maine Water.

The last Biddeford fire unit cleared the scene at 12:35 p.m.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Biddeford Fire Department in cooperation with the State of Maine Fire Marshal’s Office. At this time, the fire appears to have been accidental and electrical in nature.

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