Here’s What Those Paper Flames On Some Portland Buildings Are For [PHOTOS]

150 years ago The Great Portland Fire Of 1866 burned down more than 1,500 buildings, scorched 58 Portland streets and 200 acres of land. With all that destruction, only four people lost their lives, but 10,000 others were left homeless. Businesses were destroyed as the fire swept through Portland's Old Port.

These photos show the destruction in the wake of the fire. Below is a shot of Free Street, looking towards Middle Street.

This is a view of lower Free Street, near Center Street. You can see what's left of the Custom House on Middle Street in the left corner.

"There was nothing left after the flames were extinguished."

This view is looking across Federal Street and Congress Street from U.S. Custom House. Notice the make-shift tents in the lower right corner.

Here we see the Tents on Munjoy Hill. This pic was taken from the Portland Observatory looking south.

Looking down Exchange Street from Middle Street.

A shot of Portland City Hall as it appeared in 1866 from Lime (now Market) Street

Interior view of Portland City Hall after the fire.

The fire was started by one little child's firecracker, and was fueled by drought conditions and a strong southwesterly wind. At the time, it was the most destructive fire in U.S. history. After the flames died down, Portland began the project of connecting the town with Sebago Lake so they wouldn't have to rely on wells and reservoirs.

When you see the paper flames attached to some buildings in the Old Port, it's to signify the area that was destroyed by the fire.

The Maine Historical Society opened an exhibit featuring images of the fire’s destruction to show how it dramatically affected the development of Portland. The exhibit, “Images of Destruction: Remembering the Great Portland Fire of 1866,” is curated by Maine State Historian Earle G. Shettleworth Jr.

Maine Historical Society members and children age 5 and under can see the exhibit at 489 Congress St. for free. Admission is $8 for adults; $7 for seniors, AAA members and students; and $2 for children between the ages of 6-17.