Body Of An Elderly Woman Found In Debris Of Fire That Destroyed A Home In Winn This Week

The remains of an elderly woman were found in the debris of a fire that destroyed a home in Penobscot County this week

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According to officials with the Maine Department of Public Safety, firefighters were called to a home along Route 168 in Winn in the early morning hours on Thursday for the report of a structure fire. When the Lincoln Fire Department arrived, the house was fully involved, and one of the occupants was believed to possibly still be inside. Therefore, investigators with the State Fire Marshal's Office were called in to help.

"Five occupants had escaped the home prior to the fire department’s arrival and reported that an elderly female remained inside the residence unaccounted for... A team of Fire Marshal investigators responded to the scene to investigate the fire. At approximately 9:30 am, investigators located and removed a deceased female from the fire debris."

Officials say the other occupants of the home, who were able to make it out of the residence, had suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to a nearby hospital. There, they were evaluated, treated, and then later released.

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The remains found in the rubble were transported to the State's Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta to be identified. An autopsy will also be performed to find out the exact cause of death.

Meanwhile, the investigation into how the deadly fire may have started continues. The home was a total loss.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.