SOUTH PORTLAND — A fire broke out early this morning at Red’s Dairy Freeze in South Portland, destroying the back half of the building.
Crews were called to the landmark at 167 Cottage Rd. around 3 a.m., and it took about 20 minutes to get control of the fire, said South Portland Fire Department Lieutenant Jim Wilson.
“We haven’t narrowed it down to the exact cause, but it is not suspicious,” Wilson said. “The fire started in the back of the building. We are pretty sure it is electrical. But we just don’t know what item started the fire.”
Red’s Dairy Freeze has been in business since 1952.
Chris Bolling, the store’s owner, said he doesn’t know how long it will take to get things repaired and get back to business. The business was started in 1952 by his father, Leonard “Red” Bolling, who died in August 2001.
The insurance company will be there Monday to assess the damage.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
