2 injured in 3-alarm fire at condo complex in Mound, multiple units substantially damaged

At least two people are hurt after a three-alarm fire devoured a building in a condo complex Saturday evening in Mound.

According to the Mount fire Department and Orono Police, at 4:56 p.m., they responded to a fire located at 4000 block of Wilshire Boulevard in the Lakewind Yacht & Sport Condos.

The 911 caller stated that two apartments were on fire on the 2nd and 3rd floor. The initial caller and an officer then updated the report that the fire was in one of the 3rd-floor units with one person still inside. 

Once authorities arrived on the scene, the evacuation of the apartment complex was already in progress and a male party for the unit on the 3rd floor was assisted and rescued by a neighbor. One female resident was also recovered from her apartment by firefighters, said police. 

John Ellingsworth was visiting a friend in the building when the fire started, and he rushed to make sure everyone got out. He said he dragged a man to safety after the man had been trying to put out the fire himself.

"He was standing in the door, I kicked it open and told him he needed to come with me," Ellingsworth said. "He proceeded to try and fight the fire and put it out, so I just grabbed his legs and pulled him all the way out, down a flight of stairs and out the door. He was in pretty rough shape — he'd been trying to fight the fire for some time."

Ellingsworth said the man suffered serious burns and is at the hospital.
Mound Fire crew quickly entered and performed a primary search of all units to evacuate residents, while other fire crews made a quick containment of the fire.

All residents were accounted for by fire crews and Orono police staff. 

 A second female also suffered minor burns and some smoke inhalation.

The status of the burn victim is unknown at this time, according to police. 

According to firefighters, the fire was considered under control with overhaul starting at 6:26 p.m. The fire caused several units substantial damages with also heavy smoke damage in the 3rd-floor hallways. 

There is no damage cost estimate available at this time, said police. 

Preliminary investigation states that the determination of the fire started in the kitchen, but the fire is still under investigation. The building is an older 50 plus year wood frame building with no sprinkler system. The fire code at the time of construction did not require a sprinkler system.  

Seven fire departments responded to the fire.

Fire officials say up to 75 people have been displaced from the building and are getting assistance from the Red Cross.