Woods fire temporarily blocks 1-95 approach ramp

A fire in the woods by the ramp from Hammond Street to Interstate 95 south was extinguished quickly by the Bangor Fire Department Thursday afternoon.

When firefighters arrived, two men were standing 20 or 30 feet away watching a tangle of copper wire burning.

While fighting the fire, officials closed the ramp from the outbound side of Hammond Street to I-95 south for about 20 minutes.

The wooded area in the hollow is a known hangout and campsite for the homeless and alcoholics, although police could not pin the fire on the two men at the scene.

A police officer said that whoever started the fire was burning the insulation off the wire, prior to selling it for salvage and getting money for liquor.

Assistant Chief Frank Dinsmore said his greatest concern was that the fire could have spread, creating a hazard for people using I-95 or catching the woods on fire.