Fire damages Ellsworth bird sanctuary building

ELLSWORTH — Officials say a fire has caused significant damage to an Ellsworth bird sanctuary, but no animals are believed harmed.

The fire in a museum building at the Birdsacre-Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary was reported at about 6 p.m. Sunday.

No birds are kept in the building and no people were inside at the time of the fire. The cause remains under investigation.

Officials tell WLBZ-TV that firefighters were able to salvage some antiques from the museum. There was no immediate estimate of damages.

According to its website, the 200-acre sanctuary that includes nature trails is named for early 20th century ornithologist, photographer and writer Cordelia Stanwood.