The fire at Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley on Tuesday night caused $800,000 in damages, an official said.
Two condominiums were destroyed in the blaze.
Rangeley Fire Chief Tim Pellerin posted on Facebook early Wednesday morning that there were no injuries, “just some cold, tired, aching, sore firefighters and a couple of frozen fire trucks.”
The fire comes as Saddleback’s future is in flux – the ski resort hasn’t been in operation for more than a year, though a private group is trying to raise money to buy and reopen the resort.
That group said Wednesday the fire wouldn’t have any impact on the purchase effort.
The large fire at the Rock Pond Condominium Complex was reported around 5 p.m. Tuesday, drawing emergency crews from 15 towns across Franklin County, according to Pellerin’s post. Pellerin said Wednesday that some 75 firefighters responded to the fire.
Sgt. Ken Grimes of the State Fire Marshal’s Office, who was at the scene Wednesday morning, said officials were still investigating the cause and were unlikely to reach a determination for some time.
When fire crews arrived, condo unit 28 was in flames and the fire had also spread to unit 26.
The two units were destroyed, but two others were saved, according to Pellerin’s post.
Pellerin said responders had to deal with wind, cold temperatures and snowfall, as well as a lack of water. He said the hydrant system they tried to use was frozen, so tankers had to carry in water.
Pellerin said both condo units were likely total losses.
Three nearby condos sustained damage as well, but Pellerin said those damages – including some broken windows and scorching – amounted to about $1,500.
The fire took three hours to be brought under control, he said.
“A huge thank-you to all the mutual aid companies who traveled long distances to assist us in controlling this fast-moving fire,” Pellerin wrote on Facebook.
The Rock Pond Condominium Complex is described on the ski resort’s website as having two-level, three- and four-bedroom units with ski-in, ski-out access. The larger units can accommodate up to 10 people, according to the site.
A private group – the Saddleback Mountain Foundation, led by Peter Stein – is raising funds to purchase the ski resort.
Stein posted a message on Facebook about the fire, saying there was “no question the Rangeley and Franklin County firefighters had their hands full on such a cold night and stormy evening.”
“This to me is blunt evidence of the strength of our community and our ability to join together. Our team got calls from the media asking if this would impact the initiative in any way. For me this just brings greater resolve to get Saddleback open again. We are making progress and look forward to the day when lifts are spinning again,” Stein wrote. The foundation announced last fall that it had reached verbal agreements with the owners of Saddleback, Irene and Bill Berry, to purchase the ski resort and the land around it.
The foundation represents Saddleback season-pass holders and Rangeley business owners.
In addition, the Trust for Public Land, along with the New England Forestry Foundation, reached an agreement with the Berrys to purchase 3,249 acres around the ski area to preserve as conservation land.
On Jan. 31, Stein posted a message on the Saddleback Mountain Foundation Facebook page, assuring skiers and supporters that he was moving ahead with a plan to reopen Saddleback.
The resort ceased operations in early 2016.
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