A suspicious fire early Saturday morning (Aug. 27) destroyed the town bathroom facility located at the Highland Beach parking lot.

Bridgton Police Chief Phil Jones said the fire was reported by a passerby after 2 a.m. Bridgton Fire Department personnel along with police and United Ambulance responded.

“We are assisting the State Fire Marshal’s Service with the investigation, but cannot comment on details at this point,” Chief Jones said.

A nearby resident, who visited the fire scene, said she could smell “hot burning plastic.”

Bridgton Town Manager Robert Peabody said the bathroom remains will be torn down once the investigation is completed. Peabody expects the town will construct a new facility, but at this point, the cost is unknown. The bathroom is insured for $70,192.

This is the second time in recent years that suspicious fire has destroyed a structure in the beach area. A storage unit, that housed lifeguard equipment, burned. Now, the bathroom facility appears to also have fallen victim to arson. When Peabody was asked whether the town will consider adding surveillance cameras at the beach area, he said, “We are considering all our options.”

Anyone with information regarding the bathroom facility fire are encouraged to contact the Bridgton Police Department at 647-8814 or e-mail publicsafety@bridgtonmaine.org. — WER