Additional Coverage:
Portland Waterfront Battles Massive Blaze at Historic Custom House Wharf
Portland, Maine – Firefighters sprang into action Friday evening to combat a significant fire that erupted at the historic Custom House Wharf, a cornerstone of the city’s Old Port district. The blaze, which ignited after 5 p.m., resulted in the destruction of one building and damage to several others along the iconic waterfront.
The Custom House Wharf, a vibrant area known for its 19th and early 20th-century commercial fishing heritage, now blends its working waterfront with popular tourist attractions, including restaurants and shops.
Deputy Fire Chief Jon Hendricks praised the rapid response of the fire crews, telling FOX 23, “Unfortunately, it looked like the fire had a pretty good head start on us when we got down here, but the first companies did a great job. And they made a really aggressive attack to keep it from spreading down the rest of the wharf.”
While the flames raged, the community rallied. The Porthole Restaurant and Pub, a well-known establishment on the wharf, confirmed its survival in a social media post Friday night.
By Saturday, the restaurant announced it was “open today during regular hours if you need a familiar place to gather,” adding, “Our hearts are with everyone impacted by last night’s fire at Custom House Wharf. We’re grateful for the first responders and for the safety of our neighbors.”
Maine Governor Janet Mills also acknowledged the incident, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that she was “monitoring the situation” and urged the public to “Please avoid the area and follow the direction of local fire and public safety officials.”
The fire was brought under control by approximately 7:22 p.m. In addition to the structural damage, one boat reportedly sank, and others sustained damage.
Two firefighters received minor injuries but did not require hospitalization. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.