SPRINGVALE -- A four-family apartment complex was heavily damaged by fire this morning after firefighters spent nearly three hours getting the wild blaze under control.

The complex at 20 Mill St. was called in around 4:30 a.m. and prompted the evacuation of the apartment building and at least three buildings nearby.

At 5:45 a.m., a fire dispatcher said it was still burning strong, and the building was fully involved. Neighboring departments aided Sanford with the fight. By 6:45 a.m., the fire was knocked down, but hot spots will keep firefighters busy for a while. As of 9 a.m., they were still on the scene, but only for precaution and investigation.

The fire was in a building that is tucked in closely among other buildings, necessitating the evacuation of neighboring buildings.

It is not clear how the fire began but firefighters are investigating.

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This Google map gives a visual idea of the area where crews were busy fighting a fire.

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