SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – At 9:51 AM today, the South Portland Fire Department responded to a report of a porch fire at 28 Columbus Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters found a small fire burning on the porch of a residential building. Bystanders had attempted to extinguish the fire using fire extinguishers but were unsuccessful.
Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control, preventing it from spreading to the remainder of the building. While the porch sustained significant damage, the home remains safe and habitable.
The cause of the fire was determined to be improperly discarded smoking materials. The South Portland Fire Department reminds everyone to always use a sturdy, non-combustible container when disposing of smoking materials to prevent accidental fires.
The Department would like to thank its mutual aid partners. Firefighters from Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth provided station coverage during the incident, and firefighters from Portland assisted on scene.