Maine FMO Investigating Fatal Central Maine Fire

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety's Shannon Moss, members of the State Fire Marshal's Office are in the process of investigating a fatal fire that happened late Monday night in Palermo, Maine.

The press release explains that, at about 11:30 PM, Palermo firefighters were called to a structure fire at a home on Leeman Arm Road.

When crews arrived, the house was already fully involved in flames.  Firefighters quickly found an adult male in the roadway near the home.  He had managed to escape the fire before crews arrived but had suffered severe burns.

The man was taken by ambulance to MaineGeneral Hospital and was later flown by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center.  He is listed in critical condition.

The injured man told firefighters that another person was still inside the home.  Fire crews immediately began suppression and search efforts, with assistance from several neighboring fire departments and area ambulance services.

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office responded with a team of six investigators. Recovery efforts continued overnight, and early Tuesday morning investigators located a deceased individual inside the residence.  The body has been transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for positive identification and determination of the cause of death.

Investigators believe there may have been an explosion inside the home before the fire broke out.  The residence was supplied with propane for heating and appliances. State propane inspectors also assisted at the scene.  The cause of the explosion and the fire remains under investigation, and additional information will be released when available.