UPDATE: Two Fires in Caribou Displace Several People

Fire departments from several communities battled two separate fires Wednesday in Caribou, one that destroyed a building on Water Street and another that ripped through a home on Sweden Street.

Caribou Fire & Ambulance responded to a report of a fire on Water Street around 2:00 a.m. The site is directly behind the Caribou Police station. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire in the 7 Water Street block of building, according to a news release. One resident jumped from the rear of the building into the stream/bank below. It was reported that one person was transported by ambulance to Cary Medical Center with unspecified injuries.

Caribou Fire and Rescue

Firefighters were on scene all day bringing the blaze under control. The building at 7 Water Street was a complete loss, according to the Caribou Fire Department. Several families that lived in apartments in that block of buildings were displaced by the fire. The Red Cross has been offering assistance to those in need. There were early reports that one person was unaccounted for after the fire.

There was water damage to the front of adjoining businesses, including the Lavender Puff Hair and Tanning Salon, but crews were able to contain fire damage to the single building.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Caribou Fire Department was on site with investigators from the Maine State Fire Marshall's Office until around 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Photo credit: Ryan Watson

Firefighters called to a second fire on Sweden Street

While the blaze on Water Street was active, Caribou Fire Dept. received a call around 8:30 a.m.of a fire at 273 Sweden Street. Crews arrived and found a two-story home with smoke coming from all sides. Two people reportedly lived in the home but were away at the time.The home was considered a total loss. The cause of fire is undetermined at this time.

Caribou received mutual aid from Presque Isle, Limestone, Fort Fairfield, Washburn and North Lakes Fire & Rescue. Over the course of the entire day, crews were shuffled between both fire scenes.