A heavily traveled section of Main Street in Gray was closed for more than two hours Thursday after a fire broke out in a wood-framed garage.
Gray Fire Chief Kurt Elkanich said the two-car garage at 8 Main St. was destroyed along with four motor vehicles. Only one of the vehicles was in the garage at the time of the fire, which was reported around 2 p.m. The others were parked near it.
Elkanich said the fire burned hot, sending smoke into a nearby Cumberland Farms store. The fire chief said the state Department of Health and Human Services ordered the store to stop selling food until its food supplies could be inspected. Cumberland Farms was allowed to continue selling gasoline.
The fire started outside the garage, which prompted an investigation by the Maine Forest Service and the state Fire Marshal’s Office, the chief said. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
Elkanich said traffic was detoured around the fire in Gray’s downtown business district. The Maine Turnpike Authority advised drivers to avoid that area and seek other routes.
Elkanich said Cumberland, Raymond, Windham and New Gloucester sent fire crews and equipment to help Gray. The Gray Fire Department, like many of its neighboring departments, is staffed by volunteers.
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