Portland artist George Frederick Morse made four paintings of Great Fire of Portland. This one is the scene from Middle Street looking West near Plum Street.

The fire, which started on July 4, 1866, destroyed more than 1,500 buildings, including three firehouses. Two people were killed and more than 10,000 left homeless. Fireworks are thought to have started the blaze.

Morse (1834-1925) was a member of the Brushian painting group and a founder of the Portland Art Society. He also was a draftman and later superintendent at the Portland Company, located near this scene.