WATERVILLE — An investigation into the cause of a downtown fire that destroyed one building and damaged two others is ongoing, according to fire officials.

Waterville Fire Department Capt. Rodney Alderman said a report is expected Monday.

The fire broke out on the porch of a third-floor apartment around 4 p.m. Friday at 18 Main St. and is believed to have been related to a cooking fire on a grill, according to Fire Chief David LaFountain.

On Sunday the building was locked and the ground floor, which contained the INK-4-LIFE tattoo shop, was empty.

A sprinkler system in the building was not working, and its failure to function is responsible for much of the damage, LaFountain said.


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