HOULTON, Maine – The Burger King restaurant on North Street was shut down last Thursday afternoon, after a fire broke out in the pump room, a small supply building near the restaurant. The fire was called in at about 1 p.m. as an electrical fire, although investigators now believe the fire may have been set intentionally.
According to Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone, cardboard boxes and other combustibles were feeding the fire.
“It did not appear as though there was any electrical ignition source, so the Houlton Police Department and the State Fire Marshall’s Office were called in to investigate,” Cone added.
Although the building had little damange, the restaurant was closed while police interviewed employees, and officials from the State Fire Marshall’s Office investigated. According to the manager, the restaurant reopened shortly after 4:30 p.m. that afternoon. Houlton Police Officer Eric Crouse described the investigation as “standard operating procedure,” since the fire had occurred at a workplace.
According to Fire Marshall investigator Sgt. Tim York, the cause of the fire was found to be incendiary and remains under investigation.
According to Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone, cardboard boxes and other combustibles were feeding the fire.
“It did not appear as though there was any electrical ignition source, so the Houlton Police Department and the State Fire Marshall’s Office were called in to investigate,” Cone added.
Although the building had little damange, the restaurant was closed while police interviewed employees, and officials from the State Fire Marshall’s Office investigated. According to the manager, the restaurant reopened shortly after 4:30 p.m. that afternoon. Houlton Police Officer Eric Crouse described the investigation as “standard operating procedure,” since the fire had occurred at a workplace.
According to Fire Marshall investigator Sgt. Tim York, the cause of the fire was found to be incendiary and remains under investigation.
