RICHMOND — A large fire on Monday afternoon gutted A&W Auto Sales & Service, sending plumes of heavy black smoke over Route 201 and leaving the building a total loss, officials said. Crews from several neighboring towns responded as the blaze advanced toward nearby power lines.
Firefighters battle heavy smoke, popping sounds reported near power lines
Witnesses captured video and photos showing thick, dark smoke rising from the auto sales and repair shop on Brunswick Road. The footage also recorded occasional small popping sounds as flames neared electrical lines serving the property.
Multiple units from surrounding communities worked at the scene, where visibility was reduced by the smoke and a photographer documented a charred structure and damaged vehicles. The Sagadahoc Emergency Management Agency posted on Facebook that portions of Route 201 and Route 197 were closed while crews fought the fire.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the building has been declared a total loss and said an investigation into the cause remains underway. The Richmond Fire Department was contacted for additional information and for confirmation about any injuries, but no response had been received by press time.
Local impact and response
While details about cause and injuries have not yet been released, the incident disrupted travel and drew a multi-town emergency response. Residents reported seeing black smoke from down the road, and the scene prompted temporary road closures while firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
- Location: A&W Auto Sales & Service, Brunswick Road, Richmond
- Roads affected: Sections of Route 201 and Route 197 were shut down
- Damage: Building declared a total loss by the Maine State Fire Marshal
The Sagadahoc Emergency Management Agency used social media to alert the public about the roadway closures. Officials have not released information on the status of any employees, customers or residents related to the fire.
What officials are investigating
The State Fire Marshal will examine the scene to determine the origin and cause of the blaze. Investigations typically evaluate ignition sources, the point of origin inside a structure and any contributing factors such as fuel, electrical systems or human activity. No specific findings have been reported.
| Agency | Role at scene |
|---|---|
| Sagadahoc Emergency Management Agency | Public alerts, road closure information |
| Richmond Fire Department | First response (contacted for details) |
| Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office | Investigation; declared building a total loss |
Damage to vehicles on the property was visible in images shared with news outlets. The full extent of losses, including inventory and business records, will be part of the ongoing assessment.
What residents should know now
Authorities have not issued long-term road closures or shelter-in-place orders, but motorists should expect intermittent delays while investigators work at the scene. Residents and passersby who captured video or images of the fire may be asked by investigators to share material that could assist in determining how the fire began.
Updates are expected as the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office completes its on-site work and as local fire officials provide additional information. For now, the community remains advised to avoid the affected stretch of Route 201 and to heed any traffic or safety notices from emergency management agencies.
WE NEWS will continue to follow this story and provide details as they become available.
