A couple in their late 60s died Saturday in an Old Town house fire, which was touched off when the woman was smoking while using an oxygen tank, according to fire investigators.

The fire on Southgate Road killed Joseph Prekop, 67, and his wife, Adrienne Raff-Prekop, 68, said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office said Raff-Prekop’s body was found in the living room of the house and Prekop’s body was in his bedroom. They said Prekop called 911 to report the fire, but apparently was overcome by smoke before he could get out of the house.

The house suffered heavy smoke and fire damage, McCausland said. Capt. Mike Hildreth of the Old Town Fire Department said the heaviest damage was in the living room.

The fire was reported about 11:30 a.m. Saturday. A firefighter was also injured battling the blaze.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.