At 04:18 on July 16, Aroostook Fire Protection District 1 was dispatched to a commercial structure fire at ReEnergy on Cheney Grove Road in Fort Fairfield.

On arrival of Fort Fairfield Engine 2, crews discovered lightning had struck the building causing a fire on the 8th floor’s wood chip conveyor belt and hopper. The lightning strike had also knocked out the facilities own fire suppression systems and electricity. Crews faced intense heat and difficult access. The fire spread from the 8th floor up into the walls and to the roof.

The fire took approximately 6 hours to extinguish.

In addition to companies from AFPD1's Fort Fairfield, Limestone, and Loring Stations additional mutual aid was requested from Caribou, Presque Isle, Easton, Van Buren, and Perth-Andover Canada. Crown Ambulance stood-by the scene and assisted with rehabilitation of fatigued firefighters.

3 Engines, 2 Tankers, 2 Rescues, 7 support vehicles, and 40 Firefighters responded to the scene.

There were no firefighter or civilian injuries, ReEnergy was insured, and ReEnergy is still assessing how much damage the blaze caused.