WINSLOW — State fire marshals continued to interview witnesses Thursday during their investigation into a suspicious fire on South Reynolds Road.

A fire Wednesday destroyed a 1984 AMC Eagle, broken-down garage and badly damaged one side of the house next to it, although investigators are finished at the site, according to Sgt. Ken Grimes of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Additional Photos

Firefighters from area departments extinguish a building fire that is considered suspicious on the South Reynolds Road in Winslow on Wednesday. Staff photo by David Leaming

Unlike a burglary, where there is clear evidence that something was stolen, when investigating a fire, the process needs to be completed before you can label a cause, Grimes said.

“Before you can classify it, you need to get to the end of the scene exam and interviewing witnesses,” he said. “We’re done with the scene for now, but we’re still doing witness interviews and processing that information.”

A neighbor first spotted a small camp-sized fire about 3 p.m in front of the garage on the rural road. Another neighbor called 911 and by the time police arrived, the fire had engulfed the building.

Keith Lemieux, who called 911, lives across the street from the property. He also called Stephen Dyer II, who inherited the property after his father died five months ago.

Dyer had tried to sell his AMC Eagle the night before but turned down offers from two people who looked at the car. He said it was suspicious that a fire destroyed the garage and car the following day.

Dyer said the garage was not connected to electricity and he removed the battery from the car after starting it for the prospective buyers.

The car was outside the garage because it was already partically collapsed from a summer thunder storm.

Jesse Scardina — 861-9239
jscardina@centralmaine.com

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