Fire in Old Port of Portland, Maine, damages its historic waterfront and sinks at least 1 boat

A fire tore through the historic Old Port waterfront in Portland, Maine, on Friday night, damaging aging buildings and several boats along Custom House Wharf, authorities said. Flames and smoke spread quickly through the aging structures, which once housed the city’s fishing industry and now include seafood restaurants. The Portland Fire Department warned residents to avoid the area as crews battled the blaze. Frozen fire hydrants forced responders to deploy a fire boat from the harbor. Several boats were damaged, and at least one sank along the wharf. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and one firefighter sustained minor injuries.