State fire marshal says smoking caused fatal Windham fire
Officials: Victim was 25-year-old Parker Blanchard
Katie Thompson SOURCE: Katie Thompson
The State Fire Marshal's Office said a cigar or cigar ashes started a futon fire that killed a Windham man on Sunday.Parker Blanchard, 25, died from smoke inhalation. The futon was in the living room of a third-floor apartment, the fire marshal's office said in a release.Blanchard's fiancee, 25-year-old Annette Kowalik, was taken to Maine Medical Center for smoke inhalation. Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Stephen McCausland said the couple was getting married in the coming weeks.Firefighters from several towns were called to 13 Main St. in Windham after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.Witnesses told WMTW News 8's Katie Thompson they saw a window burst and then flames shoot out of the third floor of the building.According to McCausland, a passerby saw the fire and called 911.Mobile users click here for photos.Firefighters said the fire was contained mostly to the third floor. The people who live on the bottom two floors were displaced. At least one family is with relatives, who live in the area. The Red Cross is helping those residents.
WINDHAM, Maine —
The State Fire Marshal's Office said a cigar or cigar ashes started a futon fire that killed a Windham man on Sunday.
Parker Blanchard, 25, died from smoke inhalation. The futon was in the living room of a third-floor apartment, the fire marshal's office said in a release.
Photos: One dead in Windham fire
Blanchard's fiancee, 25-year-old Annette Kowalik, was taken to Maine Medical Center for smoke inhalation. Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Stephen McCausland said the couple was getting married in the coming weeks.
Firefighters from several towns were called to 13 Main St. in Windham after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Witnesses told WMTW News 8's Katie Thompson they saw a window burst and then flames shoot out of the third floor of the building.
According to McCausland, a passerby saw the fire and called 911.
Mobile users click here for photos.
Firefighters said the fire was contained mostly to the third floor. The people who live on the bottom two floors were displaced. At least one family is with relatives, who live in the area. The Red Cross is helping those residents.