Area fire departments got training Sunday in burning the former, longtime Huber’s Market on Route 1 in Wiscasset. Dollar General has planned a store there. 

Wiscasset Fire Chief T.J. Merry said in an email response to questions, Wiscasset, Woolwich, Westport, Dresden, Edgecomb and Alna fire departments took part and Wiscasset Police Department helped on traffic control. He said the fire was lit at 7:40 a.m. and firefighters cleared the scene at 10:30 a.m. A total of 40 firefighters took part, Merry said.

“Route 1 was open and visibility was only an issue for about 10 minutes,” Merry wrote. He said a general contractor doing site work provided the building to burn. “(The) burn went pretty well even though we didn’t use the inside of the building for training. Firefighters were still able to get plenty of opportunities running hose lines. We had to keep all fire apparatus cooled off due to the heat coming off the building as well as Ship’s Chow Hall (next door).”

Merry added, “Dresden exercised their new aerial truck by providing water through the nozzle from the tip of the ladder cooling down the roof system till it collapsed. (We) appreciated everyone’s efforts.”

Woolwich Fire Chief Michael Demers said, that department at one point deployed one of its portable speed bumps to help slow traffic.

Our thanks to Demers and the Woolwich department for sharing these photos.