Biddeford History & Heritage Project

This tenement building, located on the corner of Washington and Alfred Streets, erupted into flames on November 23, 1973. Starting around 10:15 PM, the “All Out” bell was not rung until the following morning at 9:30 AM. The heating oil tanks inside of the tenement building exploded over time, and ripped into the foundation. This required the assistance of 150 firemen from Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Scarborough and Portland.

By working together, the firemen of the local communities were able to contain the blaze to the original building and put out the roof fires of on other Washington Street tenements. The Biddeford Daily Journal reported that one resident of the tenement building, Richard Moody, had successfully evacuated the first and second floors. Luckily all 45 residents of the building, including 28 children, were safely removed from the burning structure.