📰BIDDEFORD | Fire Deemed Not Suspicious | 540 Elm (Kennebunk Marina Boat Storage)

📰BIDDEFORD | Fire Deemed Not Suspicious | 540 Elm (Kennebunk Marina Boat Storage)

"At this time the fire appears to be accidental electrical"

October 6, 2025, At approximately 7:46 AM on Monday, October 6, the Biddeford Regional Communication Center received a 911 call for a boat on fire inside of a building at 540 Elm Street, KPT Marine. The Biddeford Fire Department, along with mutual aid fire and EMS units from Arundel, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Goodwins Mills were dispatched on the initial “desk box” assignment.

The Fire Chief arrived at 07:51 AM and found heavy smoke coming from the large 50 ft x 150 ft storage building and the large boat inside the building that was on fire. Shortly after arrival, the fire extended to a second large boat inside the building and through the roof of the building. The remaining Biddeford fire units arrived at 07:52 AM and stretched two hose lines from Engine 22 to begin extinguishing the fire. Truck 32 set up for ventilation and defensive operations, and Squad 28 laid a supply hose from a nearby hydrant to the scene to establish water supply. The Goodwins Mills Ambulance evaluated one patient who was a KPT Marine employee; the patient did not require EMS transport.

An “all-hands” alarm was struck at 07:54 AM to bring additional help to the scene, provide coverage for the City and call-back off-duty BFD firefighters. The all-hands alarm brought mutual aid fire and EMS units to the scene from Wells, Saco, Kennebunk, and Goodwins Mills. Station coverage for the City was provided by Scarborough and Sanford.

The fire was brought under control in about 45 minutes at 8:28 AM.

During this fire, the mutual aid cover units responded to four additional incidents – a medical call, a smoke investigation, and two commercial fire alarm activations.

Additional support was provided on-scene from the Biddeford Police and Public Works Departments with traffic control, Central Maine Power with electricity to the building, and Maine Water with the hydrants.

The cause and origin of the fire is under a joint investigation by the Biddeford Fire Department, State of Maine Fire Marshal’s office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. At this time, the fire appears to be accidental electrical.

For more information, please contact Chief Larry Best at 207-282-6632.

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ADDITIONAL RELEASE:

OCTOBER 6, 2025 | According to a press release from Larry Best, Biddeford Fire Department Fire Chief, the first 911 Call Received was at:

07:46am by the Biddeford Regional Communications Center

Biddeford Fire Department Dispatched: 07:47am

First Unit on Scene: 07:51am- Biddeford Car 1 Chief Best

Number of Engines in response: 7

Number of Ladder trucks in response: 3

Number of Ambulances in response: 3

Biddeford apparatus in response: Biddeford Chief, Assistant Chief, OIC Car 7, Engine 22, Truck 32, Squad 28, EMS Ambulance 14, Special Hazards Heavy Rescue 34 and 4 Call Company Firefighters.

Mutual Aid to Scene: Arundel Engine 44, Saco Tanker 6, Saco Ladder 1, Saco Ambulance 3, Saco OIC Car 9, Old Orchard Beach Engine 72, Goodwins Mills Ambulance 85, Goodwins Mills Engine 83, Goodwins Mills Chief, Kennebunk Tower 1, Kennebunk Chief, Wells Engine, Wells Chief.

Mutual Aid Coverage: Scarborough Ladder, Scarborough Ambulance, Scarborough Deputy Chief, Sanford Engine, Sanford Assistant Chief.

Rescues: None

Injuries: 1 patient evaluated; no EMS transport

General Incident Description:

At approximately 07:46am the Biddeford Regional Communication Center received a 911 call for a boat on fire inside of a building at 540 Elm Street, KPT Marine. Biddeford OIC Car 7, Engine 22, Truck 32, Squad 28, EMS Ambulance 14, Chiefs 1, and 2 along with mutual aid fire and EMS units from Arundel (Engine 44), Saco (Tank 6 and OIC Car 9), Old Orchard Beach (Engine 72) and Goodwins Mills (Ambulance 85 and Chief 1) were dispatched on the initial “desk box” assignment.

Upon arrival of Biddeford Chief 1 at 07:51am and found heavy smoke coming from the large 50ft x 150 ft storage building and large boat inside the building that was on fire. Shortly after arrival the fire extended to a second large boat inside the building and through the roof of the building. The remaining Biddeford fire units arrived at 07:52am and stretched two hose lines from Engine 22 to begin extinguishing the fire, Truck 32 set-up for ventilation and defensive operations, Squad 28 laid a supply hose from a nearby hydrant to the scene to establish water supply. The Goodwins Mills Ambulance evaluated 1 patient who was a KPT Marine employee; the patient did not require EMS transport.

An “all-hands” alarm was struck at 07:54am to bring additional help to the scene, provide coverage for the City and call-back off-duty BFD firefighters. The all-hands alarm brought mutual aid fire and EMS units to the scene from Wells (Engine 7, and Chief 1), Saco (Ladder 1, and Ambulance 3), Kennebunk (Tower 1 and Chief 1) and Goodwins Mills (Engine 83). Station coverage for the City was provided by Scarborough (Ladder 1, Ambulance, and Deputy Chief) along with Sanford (Engine and Assistant Chief).

The fire was brought under control in about 45 minutes at 8:28am.

During this fire, the mutual aid cover units responded to four (4) additional incidents. A medical call, a smoke investigation and two (2) commercial fire alarm activations.

Additional support was provided on-scene from the Biddeford Police and Publics Works Departments with traffic control, Central Maine Power with electricity to the building, and Maine Water with the hydrants.

Cause: The cause and origin of the fire is under a joint investigation by the Biddeford Fire Department, State of Maine Fire Marshal’s office and the ATF office. At this time the fire appears to be accidental electrical.

Incident Type: Boat Fire & Building Fire

Incident Location: KPT Marine LLC., 540 Elm Street, Biddeford, Maine, 04005.

Incident Commander: Larry Best, Fire Chief