February 3rd — Biddeford, ME — The Biddeford Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 295-297 Elm Street, KRC Properties Sleepy Hollow Motel, after the Biddeford Regional Communications Center received many 911 calls at 8:26 a.m. Units were dispatched at 8:28 a.m., and Car 7 arrived at 8:30 a.m. to report heavy smoke and fire coming from a 30-by-40-foot garage attached to a 200-foot motel. The buildings were closed for the season and vacant.

The assignment was escalated to an all-hands response. Engine 22 stretched two handlines, and Truck 32 conducted primary searches. Saco Engine 7 established a water supply, but encountered a frozen hydrant before Arundel Engine 44 found a second hydrant. Due to the fire, personnel used defensive operations to safeguard a nearby four-story residential building. Interior lines kept the fire from spreading into the motel. Mutual aid was provided by Arundel, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Goodwins Mills, Kennebunk, and Scarborough. Scarborough, Wells, and Westbrook offered additional station coverage, as did Biddeford firefighters who were not on duty.

One firefighter was taken to Maine Medical Center Biddeford after slipping and falling on ice. No civilians were wounded. During the incident, coverage units responded to five additional calls, including medical emergencies and smoke investigations. Biddeford Police, Public Works, Code Enforcement, the School Department, Central Maine Power, and Maine Water supported operations. The fire was brought under control at 9:48 a.m., and workers left the area at 12:35 p.m. The Maine Fire Marshal's Office is still investigating the cause, which appears to be an accident involving electricity.