At least seven people were displaced by a late-night fire that swept through a South Portland apartment building, authorities said. 

Firefighters were called to 72 Hill St. about 12:17 a.m. and quickly increased the alarm to all-hands, the highest level of urgency for the department, said South Portland Fire Lt. Robb Couture.

Flames had spread from an exterior porch structure up into the two-story structure’s attic, Couture said.

“There was a concern that there was someone in the residence,” he said. “That turned out not to be the case.” 

In total, seven residents escaped before crews arrived, and no one was injured. Firefighters also managed to rescue two cats and a dog from the flames, which were brought under control about 1 a.m., he said.

Portland firefighters helped fight the fire, and companies from Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth covered South Portland’s stations until about 4 a.m. when firefighters cleared the scene. Two of the building’s units sustained considerable fire damage, while the other two showed water damage, Couture said.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear and is being investigated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Couture said.


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