New Gloucester Fire & Rescue responded to a fatal fire at 81 Bluff Circle, off Mayall Road, in New Gloucester on Sunday night at 9:11 p.m.
According to Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, the victim is 63-year-old Raymond Howland. Investigators said Howland died from smoke inhalation after the fire started in the living room of his home. The cause of the fire cannot be determined, McCausland said.
Investigators found that the battery-operated smoke detector in the house did not work and think if it had been operational, Howland likely would have survived the fire, McCausland said.
Howland’s body was found on the front stairways of the split-level ranch and family members told investigators that Howland spent the majority of his time in his living room, where the fire started. This is the 15th fire death of the year, McCausland said.
New Gloucester fire crews arrived on scene after multiple calls by neighbors. Upon arrival, the raised ranch-style structure had a large amount of fire, according to Captain Scott Doyle. There was one car in the driveway, with no one outside the home. Most of the fire was fought from the exterior of the building due to significant fire and damage to the home.
“We have entered home fire season,” Doyle said. “People need to ensure that their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have new batteries. The next level of defense is having your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors interconnected, so when one goes off, they all go off. Home fire fatality numbers double during the winter months.”
Mutual aid was provided by the following communities: Gray, Raymond, Poland, Durham and Pownal. About 15,000 gallons of water was used. Fire units left the scene at 12:15 a.m. The fire scene and investigation was turned over to the state fire marshal’s office, Doyle said.
A home in New Gloucester was devastated by fire Sunday with one person losing their life in the blaze, according to officials.Send questions/comments to the editors.
