Portland Fire Department urges residents to avoid Old Port area during Custom House Wharf fire response

What happened

A major waterfront fire in Portland’s Old Port district triggered an “all-hands” emergency response and prompted a public safety advisory from the Portland Fire Department to avoid the area. The fire burned through structures along Custom House Wharf on the evening of Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, damaging multiple buildings and several boats tied up at the wharf.

The department issued an incident notification shortly before 6 p.m. warning residents to use caution and stay clear of the immediate area. The incident escalated to a multi-alarm response as crews arrived to find heavy fire conditions affecting more than one structure.

Scale of the response and operational challenges

Firefighters deployed extensive resources, including a fire boat operating from the harbor, as waterfront access and winter conditions complicated suppression efforts. Frozen hydrants were reported as a significant obstacle during initial operations, increasing reliance on alternative water supply methods and large-volume streams.

Officials maintained a defensive strategy for portions of the operation as crews worked to contain spread across closely connected waterfront buildings and adjacent moored vessels. The fire was reported under control later that evening, though crews remained on scene to address remaining hot spots and hazards.

Injuries, damage, and immediate impacts

Authorities reported minor firefighter injuries, with no broader casualty reports publicly confirmed in initial summaries of the incident. Damage assessments described multiple affected waterfront structures and boat damage, including at least one vessel reported to have sunk.

Public safety concerns extended beyond fire and smoke. Officials cautioned that firefighting operations can create icy conditions on nearby streets and walkways, a common secondary hazard in winter incidents involving heavy water application.

Investigation status

The cause of the fire remained under investigation in the days that followed. Investigators returned to the scene to interview witnesses and gather available video evidence. Given the intensity of the blaze and the extent of damage, investigators also indicated that determining a definitive origin and cause may not be possible.

What the public was asked to do

• Avoid the closed or restricted area around Custom House Wharf during active operations and follow directions from responders.
• Use heightened caution near the waterfront where water runoff and freezing temperatures can create slick surfaces.
• Expect disruptions while crews continue overhaul work and investigators conduct scene examinations.

Emergency officials emphasized that the advisory was intended to keep the public away from active hazards and to preserve access for firefighting and investigative work.

The incident underscored the compounded risks of dense waterfront construction, marine exposures, and cold-weather response conditions, all of which can drive rapid escalation and require broad deployment of personnel and specialized equipment.