PITTSTON — Firefighters from more than a dozen communities worked to contain a massive blaze Monday afternoon that officials said started at a heavy equipment lay-down yard on East Pittston Road.
The fire consumed a three-story residence next door and spread across state Route 194, starting a blaze at one of the 25 buildings in the Tuthill antique village, which spans about 50 acres.
The fire was reported at about 1:40 p.m. and smoke and flames were visible from Augusta. The blaze at Tuthill has been extinguished, said Pittston Fire Chief Joshua Johnson, but flames were still spreading at the property on East Pittston Road during the afternoon.
Firefighters at the scene were urging people to avoid state Route 9 and Route 194 in Pittston while they attempted to extinguish the blaze.
Meanwhile, explosions were emanating from within the structures and equipment yard — which contains excavation equipment, tractors and trailers — as of 2:15 p.m. Blasts could be heard in Gardiner.
No injuries have been reported by officials so far.
Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said the blaze was an outside fire that started in a burn barrel, and the investigation was referred to the Maine Forest Service, which will be the primary investigating agency.
A video of the fire was posted by Kirsi Bertolini to the Richmond Family & Friends Facebook Group. Bertolini was in a car that was driving by the scene off of state Route 27, Wiscasset Road, heading toward Gardiner. The video showed bright orange flames coming out of the house on all sides.
As of 3:30 p.m., about two hours after the fire was reported, Pittston firefighters were still on the scene.
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