Mutual-Aid Departments Assisted at Wilton Structure Fire

Wilton, ME— October 5 — Wilton Fire & Rescue attended to a structure fire at Ambition Brewing on Main Street on Monday, October 5, following a dispatch that reported heavy smoke inside the building during renovation activities.

Ladder 7 arrived with Deputy Chief Mike Lilley, Senior Captain George Guptill, Captain Justin Lowe, and Lieutenant Cody Blodgett. Firefighters observed heavy black smoke and fire spreading along the rear wall, with access being restricted from one side due to the Wilson Stream.

Captain Cody Henry and Firefighter/AEMT Ellie Adams entered through the front door and started fire suppression.

Captain Lowe and a firefighter from Jay later entered from the side to tackle the fire near the rear wall. Firefighters from Farmington accessed the second floor through a staircase and continued their suppression efforts. Additional crews set up ground ladders to assist with operations on the upper levels.

Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control and started the overhaul process within 60 minutes. Crews also worked to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjacent apartment building.

Mutual-aid agencies involved included fire departments from Chesterville, East Dixfield, Temple, Farmington, Jay, Livermore Falls, Industry, New Sharon, Dixfield, and Weld, as well as Wilton Police and MaineHealth EMS.

The Maine Office of State Fire Marshal later concluded that the fire was accidental and related to renovation work underneath the building, where accumulated combustible debris had ignited.