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Blaze displaces residents at South Portland apartment building

Blaze displaces residents at South Portland apartment building

Photo: clipart.com


A fire at an apartment building for elderly and handicapped Mainers in South Portland caused smoke and water damage Friday morning.

Crews responded to the 7th floor of Hazard Towers at 425 Broadway near the Cottage Rd. intersection around 7:40 a.m.

One person was evaluated at the scene but didn’t need to be taken to the hospital.

South Portland Fire Chief Phil Selberg says the building’s sprinkler system helped contain the flames and limit the damage.

He says five units were left uninhabitable, and the South Portland Housing Authority was seeking temporary housing for those impacted while the damage is assessed.

Investigators said a battery-powered e-bike that had been modified with a homemade battery pack appears to be the cause of the fire.

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