Officials seek cause of fire at former hospital

PORTLAND — A fire at the former Elmcrest Hospital site that broke out early Wednesday morning caused extensive damage to the property located just over the Arrigoni Bridge, officials said.

Portland fire crews were called to a blaze at 69 Marlborough St., also known as Routes 66 and 17, around 4:20 a.m. Upon arrival, they found a structure at the rear of the property on fire, according to Portland Fire Chief Robert Shea.

Shea said that because the building had been vacant for years, overgrowth and narrow pathways made it difficult

getting inside the location. They eventually gained access and began work to put out the blaze.

“Fire crews worked for two hours to bring the fire under control,” Shea said.

Portland Fire Marshal Raymond S. Sajdak said the structure will likely be demolished.

Officials said the intersection of Main and Malborough streets were closed while the fire was being fought, with detours set up through the area. They are now open.

The former Elmcrest Hospital, now permanently closed, served as a mental illness facility. It opened in the 1940s.

In 2018, developers set to convert the property, renamed Brainerd Place, into mixed-used development were issued a demolition permit for the property by the town. The project is still underway, according to town meeting minutes.

Portland fire officials said on their Facebook page that Middletown and Westfield fire departments provided mutual assistance. Public works employees also helped out with water supply and brush/tree removal.

The cause of the fire is yet unknown and the incident is under investigation by the Portland and state fire marshals’ offices, Shea said.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo A fence at the old Elmcrest Hospital property in Portland. Officials are seeking the cause of a fire there.