Smoke billows from a fire Thursday evening at Jamie’s Auto Repair on French Street in Skowhegan. Photo courtesy of Skowhegan Fire Department

SKOWHEGAN — A Skowhegan auto repair shop was destroyed Thursday evening by a fire that sent plumes of smoke over Skowhegan’s south side, near the center of town.

Shortly before 7 p.m., when first responders arrived, flames could be seen at Jamie’s Auto Repair at 15 French St., off Waterville Road.

Firefighters from several area departments responded to the scene and had the fire mostly under control within 45 minutes, according to Chief Ronnie Rodriguez of the Skowhegan Fire Department.

By 7:30 p.m., it appeared most of the flames were out, though smoke continued to fill the air for the next hour. Firefighters remained on scene until approximately 11 p.m., Rodriguez said.

A fire destroyed Jamie’s Auto Repair on French Street in Skowhegan on Thursday evening. Firefighters responded around 7 p.m. Photo courtesy of Skowhegan Fire Department

Flames were contained, leaving neighboring residences unaffected.

One firefighter from another town’s department was transported to the hospital with heat-related symptoms and was later released, Rodriguez said. No other injuries were reported; no one was in the shop when the fire started.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined and is under investigation, Rodriguez said. It appeared accidental upon initial investigation.

Materials like oil and paint inside the shop fueled the fire, the chief said. “There was a lot of combustibles in there that contributed.”

The roof of the structure collapsed, which meant firefighters were not able to attack the fire from the inside, Rodriguez said.

Rick Turner, a Cornville resident and Skowhegan business owner, provided an excavator to help firefighters fully put out the fire after the roof collapsed, according to Rodriguez.

“The initial extinguishment is only half the job. We have to do overhaul, find the hidden fires, and make sure everything is completely out. And the only way to do that is to get up close and personal,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said efforts from many people and organizations were key in extinguishing the fire.

Fire departments from Norridgewock, Madison, Canaan, Cornville, Waterville and Fairfield provided mutual aid. The Skowhegan Police Department, Redington-Fairview EMS, Central Maine Power Co., Maine Water, the Somerset County Communications Center and Canteen 19 also assisted, Rodriguez said. Canteen 19 is an organization run by Rodriguez’s son and wife that provides refreshments for first responders at the scene of fires.

Al’s Pizza also provided food for first responders, Rodriguez said.

As the fire broke out, two Skowhegan police officers and an employee of Al’s Pizza at 20 Waterville Road were seen knocking on doors to warn neighbors on adjacent Cedar Street.

Flames are seen at Jamie’s Auto Repair on French Street in Skowhegan. The fire, which began before 7 p.m. Thursday evening, destroyed the shop. Photo courtesy of Skowhegan Fire Department

“This is a systemic example of what it takes to collaborate and coordinate in the efforts to mitigate an emergency,” Rodriguez said.

On Friday morning, Jamie Marshall, of Skowhegan, was at the burnt remains of the auto repair shop he has owned for the last few years.

Marshall said he was not sure what may have caused the fire. There were no people or vehicles inside the shop when the fire broke out, he said.

“We had just finished up our jobs for the day.”

Marshall said he was at home when several people tried to notify him that the garage was on fire.

Jamie’s Auto Repair on French Street in Skowhegan was destroyed in a fire Thursday evening. Damage is shown Friday. Jake Freudberg/Morning Sentinel

“I was mowing my lawn, and I was actually ignoring my phone,” Marshall said. “I had my daughter on my lap, mowing the lawn. I went inside after I was done, and I had about 10 missed calls. So, I raced down here.”

Marshall, who said he stayed at the scene until about 6:30 a.m. Friday and returned when he was told the fire had sparked again, was just beginning to assess the damage. His four-wheeler, Harley-Davidson motorcycle and snowmobile stored inside the garage were destroyed.

The building is likely a total loss, Marshall said, though he had not yet heard back from his insurance company Friday morning.

Marshall said he hopes to rebuild the shop.

“What do you do?” he said. “What do you do?”