VASSALBORO — A marijuana-growing facility on Webber Pond Road was destroyed by fire Monday and a tenant who was inside processing the pot escaped uninjured, officials said.
The fire was reported at a building in the area of 658 Webber Pond Road. Firefighters on scene Monday said the building used to house a paintball business and was most recently used to cultivate marijuana.
The building was described by responding crews as a “complete loss” following the blaze, which was reported around 1:45 p.m. Monday.
Vassalboro Fire Chief Walker Thompson, who was still on scene Monday evening, said the Office of the State Fire Marshal would investigate the cause.
“There was one person in the building; a tenant who was renting the building and was processing marijuana,” Walker said. “He claims he heard popping sounds in the walls and called 911.”
When firefighters arrived, flames were coming from the front corner of the building, which then spread through the roof/ attic area. The roof on the one-and-a-half-story building later collapsed, Walker said.
Walker said up to 30 firefighters arrived on scene, including crews from Albion, Augusta, China, Chelsea, Waterville, Windsor and Winslow.
Because the fire occurred midday while many local volunteer firefighters were at work, Walker said it was necessary to call in so many regional departments for help.
Firefighters attack a blaze Monday at a building on Webber Pond Road in Vassalboro. Formally the location of a paintball business, authorities said the structure — which was described as a complete loss — was used to cultivate marijuana. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal
The property at 658 Webber Pond Road is owned by Louise Marinez and is valued at $233,400, according to town property records.
It’s not the first time that area has drawn a heavy firefighter response. In April 2019, crews responded to the area of 658 Webber Pond Road after an unpermitted brush fire nearby sparked a blaze that destroyed a barn and nearly consumed a nearby house and garage. Thompson said at the time that the fire started with someone burning brush 30 to 40 feet from the barn at the property.
On Monday, Thompson said that the 2019 fire didn’t occur exactly at 658 Webber Pond Road, but rather across the street from it.
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