Structure fire destroys two buildings on Main Street in Van Buren

VAN BUREN, Maine — A structure fire late Saturday destroyed two buildings on Main Street in Van Buren, sending a firefighter and a resident to the hospital, officials said.

The Van Buren Fire Department responded around 11:23 p.m. to 58 Main Street after the building’s owner discovered a fire originating from a pellet stove, according to a release from the Maine Department of Public Safety. The owner attempted to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher, but the fire spread.

Fire crews arriving on scene encountered heavy fire conditions, the release stated. Because of the risk to nearby buildings, they used an excavator to perform an emergency demolition of 58 Main Street while fighting the blaze.

The fire completely destroyed the building and the neighboring building at 56 Main S