PORTLAND (AP) — The parents of one of the six people killed in a Portland apartment fire in November say they have been told by investigators that the blaze was an accident caused by the improper disposal of smoking materials.
Nikki and Louis Thomas, whose daughter Ashley died in the blaze, tell WCSH-TV they were told someone threw smoking material in to a bucket or trash receptacle on the porch, next to a couch.
State public safety spokesman Steve McCausland says officials will announce the “cause and manner” of the Noyes Street fire at a news conference Wednesday.
A city spokeswoman says the news conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. at city hall.
The blaze was Maine’s deadliest in 40 years.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in the investigation.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less