A Riverside Drive homeowner died after suffering burns in a fire at his home Thursday.
Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the state Department of Public Safety, identified the man as Michael Keith, 66; he had been taken to MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland.
Keith was outside his home on Augusta’s east side when firefighters arrived, Moss said in a news release. He had suffered severe burns in the incident and was in critical condition, authorities said.
He was taken by Augusta Rescue to MaineGeneral Medical Center, then flown by LifeFlight helicopter to MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Battalion Chief Scott Dunbar said Thursday evening.
The fire was reported at 2:13 p.m. , at 347 Riverside Drive, a single-familyhome.
When firefighters arrived, they found flames in the basement, which Dunbar said were quickly extinguished. Firefighters had the fire under control in about 10 minutes, fully extinguished within an hour, and left the site after about 90 minutes.
The cause of the fire was under investigation by an Office of State Fire Marshal investigator and dog Thursday evening.
Moss said Friday investigators determined the fire originated in the basement. Ignitable liquids caught fire near the chimney cleanout door of the home.
Augusta police closed the road during the fire. Mutual aid from other departments was not needed nor requested at the scene.
Dunbar said he didn’t know whether the home was insured. Damage to the structure was limited to the basement area, although other areas of the home likely sustained smoke damage.