PORTLAND

Steam engine damaged in early morning blaze

A steam engine that was being repaired for the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad was damaged in an outdoor fire behind 58 Fore St. early Saturday, fire officials said.

A wooden frame over several steam engines that were being repaired caught fire around 4 a.m., said Bob Wassick, a deputy chief of the Portland Fire Department. The frame had been covered with plastic to provide workers with cover, Wassick said, but the plastic was blown off in a storm earlier this month.

Wassick said officials don’t know the cause of the fire, but an investigation is under way.

The steam engine was damaged by the heat of the fire, Wassick said, but most of the damage can probably be repaired. He said parts of the engine, including the boiler, had already been removed.

The fire was brought under control within about a half hour, Wassick said, and there were no injuries.

YORK

Police arrest suspect in several local burglaries

Police arrested a York man Friday night who allegedly stole cash, credit cards, Social Security cards and prescription drugs from several homes in town.

David Barrett, 46, of 2 Captain Brown Lane was arrested at the Microtel Hotel on Market Drive, where he was staying, police said.
Police received a call early Friday afternoon from a York Street resident who said he had recently returned home to find an unknown person in his house.

The resident told the person to leave, then discovered that a large quantity of cash was missing, police said. The resident provided a description of the man, who is known to police and had been seen walking in the neighborhood of the burglary that morning.

Police located Barrett at the hotel, where they arrested him on an initial charge of possessing a scheduled drug.
While searching Barrett’s room, police said, they found more than $5,000 worth of stolen property. When police contacted the owners of the stolen property, the people said they didn’t realize that their homes had been burglarized.

Police also charged Barrett with three counts of burglary and one count of receiving stolen property.

CASTINE

U.S. Rep. Michaud to address Maine Maritime graduates

Maine Maritime Academy says U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud will be its commencement speaker at its graduation ceremonies this spring.

Maine Maritime President Leonard Tyler said Michaud also will receive an honorary doctorate at the Castine college’s 67th commencement on May 1.

Tyler called Michaud a champion of education and veterans’ services and a strong advocate for the nation’s transportation infrastructure.