Commercial street fire in Portland’s Old Port: Boat sunk, firefighter injured, Wharf buildings damaged

Fire crews have contained a massive three-alarm blaze that swept through Portland’s historic Old Port district Friday evening, sinking a boat and heavily damaging a building on Custom House Wharf. The fire erupted near Maritime Antiques around 5:30 pm and burned for nearly four hours before officials declared it under control, reported WMTW.

According to the Portland Fire Department, units arrived within minutes of the initial report and quickly upgraded the incident to a third alarm due to the intensity of the flames and the proximity to waterfront structures.

Firefighters worked in challenging conditions along the wharf, where tight spacing and wooden pilings fueled the fire’s spread. By 9:30 pm, crews had contained the flames, and personnel remained overnight to address hot spots.


One firefighter sustained minor injuries, but no civilian injuries were reported. Central Maine Power crews were called in to restore power after outages affected nearby properties on Commercial Street and the waterfront, according to WMTW.

Extent of damage

Fire officials confirmed that one boat sank as a result of the blaze, while at least one warehouse building sustained heavy structural damage.

The fire’s exact origin remains under investigation, though witnesses told News Center Maine they saw flames start around an old warehouse near Sea Bags. Some also reported hearing what sounded like an explosion shortly before the fire spread.

Due to the extent of the damage, determining the cause will take some time, according to Deputy Chief Hendricks.

Community and business impact

Custom House Wharf hosts several landmark businesses, including The Porthole Restaurant & Pub, Harbor Fish Market, and Sea Bags. Staff at The Porthole confirmed via social media that all employees, fishermen, and owners were safe, adding gratitude for the swift work of emergency crews:

“We’re incredibly grateful for our PFD family and everyone’s support. Please stay safe tonight,” the restaurant shared.

Governor Janet Mills also issued a statement on social media urging residents to avoid the area and thanking first responders for their quick action.

Witnesses described seeing local fishermen running toward the docks to move vessels out of danger and assist efforts to contain the fire.