In the News – Oct. 27, 2011
Saco police and Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office investigators continued to look into the cause of a fire that destroyed a Saco restaurant Sunday morning.
Saco Police Sgt. Corey Huntress said the cause of the fire at the Steak ‘n’ Rib restaurant at 39 Ocean Park Road remains unknown but there was a propane explosion before the fire.
Firefighters were called to the scene around 2 a.m. Sunday, said Saco Fire Department Cap. Vincent Pelletier.
“We arrived to find the building mostly involved in fire with part of the roof collapsed,” Pelletier said.
Pelletier said gas tanks outside the restaurant remained intact.
The restaurant, estimated by Huntress to be in operation for almost 30 years, was closed for the season when the fire occurred.
Firefighters from Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, Goodwins Mills and Scarborough assisted Saco crews. No one was injured in the explosion or fire and the scene was cleared around 5:30 a.m., Pelletier said.
The restaurant, owned by Saco resident Roger Crepeau, was declared completely destroyed. Huntress said the walls were blown off the slab foundation by the explosion.
Council requests bids
The days could be numbered for the former Central Fire Station in Saco after councilors approved sending out bids to demolish the 73-year-old structure on Thornton Avenue.
The 5-2 vote, with councilors Margaret Mills and Leslie Smith Jr. in opposition, sets Nov. 9 as the date bids will be accepted, with a Nov. 14 deadline for submission.
Bid specifications require interested parties to post a bond of 5 percent of the bid price, minimize interference with surrounding properties when demolishing the building, control dust and identify portions that could be saved.
The building has been on the market since spring and councilors have considered and rejected four offers for the property. The listing price is $475,000, according to council documents.
The parking lot of the former fire station has been leased to Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution.
Portland-based developer Joe Wishcamper evaluated the property for city officials last March and said repairs and renovations could cost as much as $515,000 and potential buyers would likely discount the cost of repairs from their purchase offers.
Saco Police Sgt. Corey Huntress said the cause of the fire at the Steak ‘n’ Rib restaurant at 39 Ocean Park Road remains unknown but there was a propane explosion before the fire.
Firefighters were called to the scene around 2 a.m. Sunday, said Saco Fire Department Cap. Vincent Pelletier.
“We arrived to find the building mostly involved in fire with part of the roof collapsed,” Pelletier said.
Pelletier said gas tanks outside the restaurant remained intact.
The restaurant, estimated by Huntress to be in operation for almost 30 years, was closed for the season when the fire occurred.
Firefighters from Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, Goodwins Mills and Scarborough assisted Saco crews. No one was injured in the explosion or fire and the scene was cleared around 5:30 a.m., Pelletier said.
The restaurant, owned by Saco resident Roger Crepeau, was declared completely destroyed. Huntress said the walls were blown off the slab foundation by the explosion.
Council requests bids
The days could be numbered for the former Central Fire Station in Saco after councilors approved sending out bids to demolish the 73-year-old structure on Thornton Avenue.
The 5-2 vote, with councilors Margaret Mills and Leslie Smith Jr. in opposition, sets Nov. 9 as the date bids will be accepted, with a Nov. 14 deadline for submission.
Bid specifications require interested parties to post a bond of 5 percent of the bid price, minimize interference with surrounding properties when demolishing the building, control dust and identify portions that could be saved.
The building has been on the market since spring and councilors have considered and rejected four offers for the property. The listing price is $475,000, according to council documents.
The parking lot of the former fire station has been leased to Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution.
Portland-based developer Joe Wishcamper evaluated the property for city officials last March and said repairs and renovations could cost as much as $515,000 and potential buyers would likely discount the cost of repairs from their purchase offers.
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