BIDDEFORD — Fire officials in the city are saying that a Tuesday blaze that destroyed a downtown apartment building and damaged another next door was no accident.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Biddeford Fire Department began receiving numerous calls of a structure fire at 8 Kossuth St. in the city’s downtown. Firefighters began to respond and rescue ambulance crews as far away as Southern Maine Medical Center were reporting a massive column of black smoke.

Upon arriving on scene, Biddeford Fire Chief Joe Warren said crews were greeted by a fully-involved “three decker” tenement apartment building, with “flames from top to bottom.”

The fire department attacked the building with water and foam from below, above and to the sides of the building.

Winds and radiant heat blew flames into a next door building at 10 Kossuth St., and the exterior side of that building was severely damaged. The building to the other side remained relatively unscathed.

The fire appears to have started in an apartment on the first floor, although the occupant of that apartment wasn’t at home when the fire started, according to residents.

This morning, Biddeford Fire Captain Paul Lebrecque, one of the members of the twin cities’ fire task force, said that the fire did not appear to be accidental.

“The investigation continues today with the Maine State Police Fire Marshal,” he said. “They are still conducting interviews, but all signs are pointing to intentional human element as to the start of the fire.”

There were a number of people in the building at the time of the fire, but no injuries were reported. One resident, however, was given oxygen at the scene and taken by ambulance to Southern Maine Medical Center.

Leon Bean, a second floor resident of the five-unit building, was sitting at his kitchen table working on a crossword puzzle when he heard a female voice yell, “Fire!”

“I looked out the window and saw flames,” he said.

“I lost everything I owned,” said Bean, who had just moved into the building in March.

“I heard a bunch of screaming,” said James Besso, who lived on the third floor. He tried to gather his cats prior to leaving his apartment but was unable to do so. Besso left the building through a window and came down the fire escape.

Firefighters rescued one cat from the building.

When Sean Hurley realized there was a fire in the building, “I opened up the door and smoke billowed (out,)” he said.

“When it went, it went up fast,” said Hurley. “A matter of minutes.”

Although he gathered his cats, there was no time to get anything else, he said.

“The kids were outside, thank God,” said Hurley’s girlfriend Samantha Godin.

“We had everything in there,” said Hurley. “Everything’s gone.”

“I don’t even have shoes,” said Godin.

None of the residents who were interviewed had insurance on their possessions.

Some residents who lost their home and belongings said they were planning to stay with family or friends Tuesday night. Others said they were unsure where they were going to stay for the night.

The American Red Cross will help with short-term housing needs as well as provide food and clothing vouchers, said Health and Welfare Director Vicky Edgerly.

She said the city will assist with helping the residents find permanent placements.

Edgerly asked that landlords with vacancies contact her so her office can help place those who lost their homes. Those who want to make food, clothing or cash donations should also contact her office.

To contact the Health and Welfare Department call 284-9514.

In addition to the Biddeford Fire Department, firefighters from Saco, Goodwins Mills and Kennebunkport responded on the two-alarm blaze.

The fire at 8 Kossuth St., reportedly owned by Lisa Barden of Dayton, was the second of the day. Earlier Tuesday morning, firefighters responded to a call at the Maine Dry Cleaners on Alfred Street, where a dryer caused damage to the wall and ceiling.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@gwi.net.