Maine Fire Marshals Looking Into A Pair Of Deadly Weekend Fires

The Maine Fire Marshal's Office is looking into a pair of deadly fires that happened in two different towns Sunday morning.

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The first fire took place just before 1 AM in Harpswell. Firefighters from the Harpswell Fire Department responded to a fire at what's believed to be an unoccupied, seasonal home on Sea Mist Lane. According to Shannon Moss, Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesperson, only after the fire was completely knocked down did firefighters realize someone had been inside the building.

"The fire had been extinguished by the Harpswell Fire Department, and no occupants were initially located.  Fire Marshal investigators conducted an extensive scene examination to determine the fire’s origin and cause. During their investigation, they discovered a deceased male inside the structure."

There was so much damage incurred at the property from the fire, that the remains were sent to Augusta to be identified by the Chief Medical Examiner. At this point, authorities say it's undetermined what caused the fire.

Meanwhile, first responders in Old Orchard Beach were called to 9 Usen Lane. It was reported that someone at that address was experiencing a cardiac event. When they arrived, just before 9:30 in the morning, they discovered signs that there had been a fire inside the home. They also found the body of 70-year-old John Chadbourne inside the living room, Moss says.

"The Fire Marshal’s Office was dispatched to investigate. The cause and circumstances of the fire remain under investigation."

Moss says both fires are still being actively investigated. We will update this story as new details become available.