Gray, ME – A fire destroyed one of the buildings at the Maine Wildlife Park Thursday night, officials said, though no animals or people were harmed. The blaze occurred in a workshop located in a cluster of older park buildings behind the main park grounds.
Incident Overview
According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, a park employee living on site heard an explosion around 11:30 p.m. Thursday and reported a fire in one of the park buildings. Gray Fire Rescue responded and found the workshop fully engulfed in flames, prompting a second-alarm response to control the situation.
Officials said the fire was confined to the workshop, which stores tools and equipment and serves as a workspace for staff projects related to park infrastructure and maintenance. Crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading to attached buildings.
Cause of Fire
The Office of the Maine State Fire Marshal was unable to determine the exact cause of the fire but said it likely resulted from an accidental electrical malfunction. Investigators emphasized that there was no indication of foul play.
Park Operations and Safety
The Maine Wildlife Park, operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, is home to over 30 species of wildlife that cannot be returned to their natural habitats. Staff confirmed that all animals were safe and accounted for, and no injuries occurred among personnel or residents of the park.
At the time of the fire, the park was closed for the season, minimizing risks to visitors. Officials continue to assess the extent of the property damage and plan for repairs to the affected workshop.
A department spokesperson said,
“We are grateful that no animals or staff were injured during the fire. Our team is working closely with fire officials to ensure safety and begin recovery for the damaged building.”
Context and Safety Measures
Fire officials reminded operators of older park and facility buildings to routinely inspect electrical systems and equipment to reduce the risk of accidental fires. Crews from Gray Fire Rescue and neighboring units were credited with preventing the blaze from spreading and causing further damage.
Conclusion
The fire at Maine Wildlife Park serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety measures in older structures. Investigations into the exact cause continue, while the park plans to repair the workshop and resume normal operations in the future.
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