West Gardiner fire that killed a man was likely accidental, investigators say
, 2022-10-03 14:31:54,
Firefighters survey a residence engulfed in flames Thursday in West Gardiner while establishing hose lines to the off-grid cabin located several hundred yards into the woods west of state Route 126. Firefighters discovered the body of an adult while they were fighting the fire. Authorities believe the cause of the fire to be accidental. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal file
WEST GARDINER — Investigators believe the cause of the fatal house fire that destroyed a home in West Gardiner on Thursday was accidental.
On Monday, Shannon Moss, public information officer for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said via email that the cause of the fire is technically undetermined, noting that nothing is considered suspicious at this point.
The Department of Public Safety said the body of the person found inside the home is believed to be that of Sherwood Keene, 83, who had been renting the home. Moss said Monday investigators are waiting for DNA testing to confirm the identity.
On Thursday, firefighters from more than a half-dozen southern Kennebec County communities spent an hour fighting the fire that destroyed a single-family home located several hundred yards off Lewiston Road, which is also routes 9 and 126. During the course of knocking down the fire, firefighters discovered the body inside the home.
A firefighter shields his head Thursday while surveying a West Gardiner residence engulfed in flames. A state trooper, Erin James, and neighbor, Brian Knowles, discovered…
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