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Firefighters from Augusta and surrounding communities battled a fire on Jefferson Street in Augusta Sunday that displaced four people. Photo courtesy of the Augusta Fire Department

AUGUSTA — Fire in a two-unit apartment building Sunday left four people, including an infant, without their homes, officials said.

The fire, which started from the porch area of 15 Jefferson St., spread into the second-floor unit. The first-floor unit was vacant.

The fire started outside the building in a porch area, then spread into the home, getting into the first floor and a second floor bedroom and shared laundry room before firefighters from several area towns arrived to put it out, according to Augusta Battalion Chief Brian Chamberlin.

Chamberlin said the exact cause was undetermined but it appeared something in a trash can on the porch caught fire, and the fire spread from there. He said the state fire marshal’s office was consulted, and authorities determined no foul play was involved.

The fire was reported by the building’s residents, who smelled smoke and went outside to investigate. They called 911 shortly before 1 p.m. and safely evacuated the building.

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Firefighters could see the fire from downtown Augusta’s Hartford Station, and issued an “all hands” call for additional firefighters. Later, a second alarm was sounded, bringing mutual aid from firefighters from Chelsea, Togus, Gardiner, Vassalboro, Hallowell, and Winthrop. A crew from Central Maine Power responded as well.

Sunday and firefighters were on the scene until nearly 2:30 p.m.

Chamberlin said the building was not livable temporarily but was likely able to be repaired and reoccupied, and the owner was working to have the damage and needed repairs assessed by a contractor.

American Red Cross officials were called to assist the tenants with temporary housing.

City assessing records indicate Michael and Linda Miranda of Augusta own the property. The two-story building was built in 1865.

Keith Edwards covers the city of Augusta and courts in Kennebec County, writing feature stories and covering breaking news, local people and events, and local politics. He has worked at the Kennebec Journal...

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