AUGUSTA – The tenant of a Cedar Court apartment who suffered smoke inhalation in a fire which authorities said started in his apartment has improved to serious condition.

David Malia, 59, of 11 Cedar Court, was in critical condition after the fire Tuesday, but by Wednesday afternoon had improved to serious condition, according to a spokeswoman at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, where Malia remains a patient.

The Maine state fire marshal’s office said the fire was intentionally set, in the living room of Malia’s second-floor apartment.

No charges have been filed but the incident remains under investigation, Sgt. Ken Grimes, of the fire marshal’s office, said Wednesday.

Another tenant reported seeing a pile of clothing and other household items on fire inside Malia’s apartment, after he smelled smoke in the hallway of the five-unit apartment building.

Firefighters found Malia, conscious, in a back bedroom of his apartment, and the man was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

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Damage to the building, which is owned by Sabrina Moulton, was primarily to the second floor, and Malia’s apartment was heavily damaged.

AUGUSTA

Tuesday at 8:26 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Philip Avenue.

10:07 p.m., harassment was reported on Court Street.

10:24 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at Domino’s Pizza on Western Avenue.

10:30 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at Charlamagne’s on Water Street.

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11:03 p.m., a past burglary was reported on Fourth Avenue.

Wednesday at 12:42 a.m., disorderly conduct was reported at Pine View Estates on Capitol Street.

2:23 a.m., disorderly conduct was reported on State Street.

3:15 a.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Bond Street.

9:25 a.m., a past burglary was reported on Waldo Street.

9:53 a.m., simple assault was reported on Water Street.

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10:34 a.m., criminal threatening was reported at CVS Pharmacy on Stone Street.

11:46 a.m., a disturbance was reported on Mount Vernon Avenue.

1:22 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Noyes Street Place.

2:12 p.m., a 28-year-old Oakland woman was summoned for theft at Walmart on Civic Center Drive.

2:29 p.m., a 16-year-old juvenile was summoned for theft at Walmart on Civic Center Drive.

HALLOWELL

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Tuesday at 8:02 p.m., criminal trespass was reported at Easy Street on Front Street.

Wednesday, at 11:35 a.m., theft was reported at Hattie’s Chowder House on Water Street.

MONMOUTH

Wednesday, at about 3:30 p.m., a two-vehicle accident was reported at the intersection of U.S. Route 202 and Route 132.

Monmouth Officer Dana Wessling said Joshua Dumaine was driving a 2003 Honda Pilot west on Route 202 when he apparently looked down at the radio, then looked up to see someone was stopped, making a left-turn, in his lane ahead of him. Wessling said the man was unable to stop, swerved around the stopped vehicle, lost control of his vehicle and went into the eastbound lane, where he was struck by a 2011 Ford Ranger, owned by Modern Pest Services of Augusta, driven by Richard Russamano.

Neither driver required transport to the hospital.

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Route 202 was closed for about 30 minutes due to the accident.

Monmouth Police and Fire, and Winthrop Ambulance, responded to the scene.

WINTHROP

Tuesday at 4:50 a.m., injury was reported after a crash.

12:27 p.m., there was a report of mischief.

2:19 p.m., there was an accident.

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2:50 p.m., there was an accident.

ARRESTSAUGUSTA

Tuesday, at 8:38 p.m., David D. Peaslee, 35, of West Gardiner, was arrested on a warrant at Hannaford supermarket on Cony Street.

Wednesday, at 1:24 p.m., Jason L. Strout, 31, of Augusta, was arrested at Walmart on Civic Center Drive and charged with theft, violating condition of release, and violation of probation.


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