MADISON — A large garage used by RTD Enterprises burned to the ground early Friday, leaving behind charred remains of equipment, beams and tools.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the blaze at 181 River Road, next to the greenhouses of Backyard Farms. When a neighbor reported seeing the flames around 3:15 a.m., the building was already engulfed.

Because there was motor oil, hydraulic fluid and diesel fuel inside the garage, firefighters did not douse the blaze with water, afraid that chemicals would contaminate waterways. Madison Fire Chief Roger Lightbody Sr. said crews instead focused on saving the buildings nearby.

About 31 firefighters from Madison, Anson and Skowhegan responded, he said. When firefighters first arrived the roof and sides of the wood frame building had already caved in.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection checked the site Friday morning and determined there was no damage to the surroundings, Lightbody said.

The 30- by 100-foot building was owned by Dan Emery, who leased it to RTD Enterprises, an environmental contractor that installs liners in landfills across the United States. His sons, Robbie and Troy Emery, own the company, which has about 40 employees.

Troy Emery said they plan to clean up the site and rebuild. “No point in dwelling on it. You move on,” he said.

He said he had no idea how the fire started. It destroyed truck lifts, a bucket loader, an employee’s car, diesel and gasoline tanks, mechanics’ tools, tires and many more items. Emery said an inventory will be done to determine the value of everything that was lost. The building and contents were insured.

Stu Jacobs, an investigator with the fire marshal’s office, said security camera footage from Backyard Farms might prove helpful in determining a cause. When he spoke mid-morning Friday, it was too early to say where the fire originated or whether the blaze was suspicious.

Firefighters were on scene until about 7 a.m.

Erin Rhoda — 612-2368

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