By Oka Hutchins and Earl Brechlin
Mount Desert Islander
Copyright 2008 Mount Desert Islander

MOUNT DESERT — Firefighters from across the county worked through the morning to contain a fire that ravaged three Main Street buildings and damaged two others in Northeast Harbor on Tuesday.

Several businesses were destroyed and dozens of people living in apartments above the shops were forced to flee their homes when the blaze erupted at about 2:30 a.m.

“There is damage, but let me tell you if you are standing you are the luckiest person around,” said Miriam Pyle who worked at the Kimball Shop & Boutique as bookkeeper. “It’s just unbelievable.”

Paramedic Jim Wilmerding of Mount Desert was injured when several propane tanks caught fire and one exploded in the vicinity of the Colonel’s Deli, where the fire is believed to have originated. Nearby residents were startled by the explosion, which occurred just before 4 a.m. and was heard as far off as Southwest Harbor and Islesford.

Full Story: Paramedic struck by flying debris