Congress Street reopens after Portland firefighters respond to small stove fire

A small stove fire at the Burnham Arms apartment building on Congress Street in Portland caused a brief traffic closure early Tuesday morning.

Firefighters and ambulance crews arrived at 663 Congress Street, the address of the Burnham Arms complex, after reports of a fire in a kitchen. According to Portland Fire Department spokesperson Sean Donaghue, the blaze was contained quickly and was described as a “small fire on stove.” The incident prompted the Department to block the stretch of Congress Street between High and State Streets, limiting traffic for approximately an hour.

One resident sustained injuries that were not life‑threatening and was transported to a hospital. No other injuries were reported. The fire was brought under control before the road was reopened just before noon, allowing motorists to resume their routes.

The incident highlights the importance of fire safety precautions in apartment buildings. While the fire was extinguished without significant damage or casualties, the swift response by emergency personnel helped prevent a potentially larger disaster.