#absentowner — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

So, #Homeless folks were blamed for the fires. But there was some talk of the absent owner hiring people to start them!

#SanfordME - Officials Investigate Mill Fires

October 30th 2025
By Lee Burnett

"Homeless people apparently set multiple fires on the top floor of the vacant International Woolen Mill on Monday, according to the Sanford Fire Department.

"The fires are under investigation by Sanford Police and the Maine State Fire Marshal’s office.

"Fire was reported shortly before 9 a.m. with flames showing above the roof, according to Southern Maine Scanner Alerts. Firefighters discovered the fourth floor filled with smoke from 'four or five' fires, according to Assistant Chief Brian Watkins. Eventually, six ladder trucks arrived. Because of evidence of occupation by homeless people, 'the entire building had to be searched,' he said.

"It appears the fires were deliberately set using flooring, other scavenged materials and 'whatever they could find,' Watkins said. 'The police department knows all the players.'

"Sanford police declined comment on the fire and referred questions to the State Fire Marshal’s office. The State Fire Marshal’s office did not return messages by press time.

"Mario Frati of Miami, FL is the owner of the four-story, 90,000-square-foot building. At one time, he had ambitious plans to redevelop the building [into housing for the #Homeless ] in cooperation with the city, but relations deteriorated. Frati now owes five years of back taxes on the building, according to Tax Collector/Treasurer Erin McMann. As tax liens have matured, the city has waived the right to foreclose on the property, which she said is done when ownership involves adverse consequences."

@newsbot

#Arson #AbsentOwner #UnaffordableHousing #Homeless #HousingCrisis #Maine #SouthernMaine
#SanfordMaine #MainePol #Homelessness