SKOWHEGAN — State Investigators are scheduled to return today to a house on Silver Street where a smoky fire in the basement Monday morning brought two Skowhegan police detectives and three firetrucks.
Detective Kelly Hooper said the 7:15 a.m. fire appeared to be of suspicious origin, but investigators from the state Fire Marshal’s Office were not releasing the cause or the source of the fire Monday.
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“It’s under investigation; more tomorrow,” said Sgt. Tim York of the fire marshal’s office Monday.
The single story home at 9 Silver St., near the corner of Madison Avenue, is between Franklin Savings Bank and the Skowhegan/Madison Elks Lodge. The house is vacant and for rent.
Property manager Darrell Blodgett, whose telephone number is listed on the “for rent” sign, referred all questions to Walter Hight, who owns the building.
Hight said he doesn’t know how or where the fire started. He said the house was last occupied a couple of weeks ago and recently has had some renovations.
“It’s a nice little house,” Hight said Monday. “It’s got a new kitchen; brand new bathrooms in it.”
As for the fire’s origin being suspicious, Hight said he doubts it.
Skowhegan fire personnel said the fire appears to have started in the basement. Black smoke damage was visible around the cellar windows, exterior dryer vents and along the sill.
Skowhegan fire Capt. Shawn Howard said local units managed to contain the fire without assistance from neighboring communities.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
dharlow@centralmaine.com
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