Investigation Launched After Fatal Fire In Fort Kent

Authorities say a 56-year-old woman from Fort Kent is dead following an apartment fire earlier this week.

The Maine Department of Public Safety says firefighters were called to an multi-unit apartment building at 42 East Main Street in Fort Kent for a structure fire.

They found one person still inside when they got there.

"Upon arrival, the firefighters made entry and located a single adult female inside the first-floor apartment. Lifesaving efforts were provided with no success. The deceased is tentatively identified as 56-year-old Ruth Charles of Fort Kent."

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It's believed that Charles lived alone, and was the only occupant of her apartment at the time. We're told two other people who lived in other areas of the apartment building have been temporarily displaced.

Authorities say the woman's body was taken to the Medical Examiner's Office in Augusta. There experts will confirm the woman's identity, and conduct an autopsy to determine how she died.

The State Fire Marshal's Office was called in to determine what caused the fire. While they are still looking into that, they believe it may have been accidental in nature, stemming from an electrical issue or a candle.

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