Investigators were still working late Tuesday evening to determine the identity of the person found dead after a fire tore through an apartment on Ocean Avenue in Portland.

“At this point basically we’re in a holding pattern,” said Portland Fire Capt. David Nichols. “The fire is still under investigation and there has been no positive identity of the deceased at this point.”

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is assisting with the identification, Nichols said.

Nichols, who was contacted late Tuesday evening, said the name, age and gender of the victim will be released as soon as the medical examiner completes its autopsy. Nichols said that determination may not be made by Wednesday.

The cause of the blaze is also under investigation by the fire department, the Portland Police Department and the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fire was small and contained in a single apartment at the Burnham Hill Apartments, a three-story apartment complex at 609 Ocean Ave., according to Nichols.

Firefighters were first called to the scene at 4:10 p.m. and discovered the person inside.

About 25 to 30 tenants were temporarily displaced, but nearly all were allowed to return Monday night. Two units remained uninhabitable because of water damage.

Matt Byrne can be contacted at 791-6303 or at:

mbyrne@pressherald.com

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