An early morning fire caused significant damage to the Open Hearth Motel at 1147 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton on early Saturday morning, prompting a massive mutual aid response from fire departments across Hancock County.
Trenton firefighters were dispatched at approximately 2:56 a.m. and arrived to find active flames and heavy smoke in the middle section of the building. The fire spread to both sides before crews could contain it.
Firefighters were hampered by downed live electrical wires, frigid temperatures, frozen gear and icy conditions, according to a Facebook post by the Trenton Fire Volunteer Department.
Because of limited water resources in the area, departments from Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Sullivan, Lamoine, Hancock, Penobscot, Blue Hill, Brooklin, Mariaville, Eastbrook, Sedgwick, Sorrento, Surry, Dedham and Franklin were called in, primarily to provide tanker support.
All guests were evacuated before crews arrived and no injuries were reported. Displaced occupants were helped with alternate accommodations.
Crews cleared the scene of the fire around 11:30 a.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
