PORTLAND — A fire at a three-story apartment building forced authorities to close portions of Walton Street and Ocean Avenue.

There were no reports of injuries in connection with the fire at 15 Walton St. The fire was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m. and firefighters arrived to find heavy fire on the second floor that extended into the third story and attic, according to Fire Chief Fred LaMontagne.

A third alarm was transmitted, calling all firefighters in the city to the scene. Neighboring departments covered for Portland in the meantime.

It was too early to know exactly where the fire started, how it started or whether it was suspicious in nature, LaMontagne said.

It took about an hour to get the fire under control and firefighters were expected to remain on the scene for several more hours, LaMontagne said.

Firefighters in a crane continued to knock out hot spots around a gaping hole in the roof. The fire left a front corner of the building charred. LaMontagne said that while extensive repairs would be needed, the building remained structurally sound.

Portions of Walton Street and Ocean Avenue were closed because of several large-diameter hoses used to put out the fire.

Duncan MacDougall, who owns the building and lives on the first floor, watched the scene from across the street. Firefighters had retrieved his laptop, which was drying in the driveway, and his mail.

“I’m just kind of taking it all in,” MacDougall said. “It’s surreal right now.”

MacDougall, a builder, had been working at a job nearby when a friend came by and told him about the fire. MacDougall guessed that the repairs could cost between $50,000 and $100,000.

 

2:01 p.m.

PORTLAND — Portland firefighters are on the scene of a fire burning a three-unit apartment building at 13 Walton St.

The fire was reported at about 1:30 p.m. Flames were extending out second-floor windows and climbing up to the third floor at 2 p.m.