Early-morning blaze kills two in Easton
Photo courtesy of Kim White/EFD
A FIRE TUESDAY morning on the Richardson Road claimed the lives of Easton brothers Mark and Paul Beaton. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
EASTON — An early-morning fire Tuesday claimed the lives of two brothers at a residence on the Richardson Road.
The fire was reported shortly before 5 a.m. on Jan. 29. According to a spokesperson for the State Fire Marshal’s Office, two men were killed, while eight others escaped the burning structure, described as a one-and-a-half story house located at 46 Richardson Rd.
“Fire investigators say they believe the victims are two brothers: 57-year-old Mark Beaton and 56-year-old Paul Beaton. Investigators say there were no working smoke detectors in the house and the fire was discovered shortly before 5 a.m. by one of the eight other adults who escaped,” said Stephen McCausland, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
McCausland said the bodies of the two men were discovered by firefighters, one on each floor of the house. The structure is still standing but McCausland said it was gutted by the fire. Investigators remained at the scene late Tuesday afternoon.
“A team of four fire marshal investigators continues to attempt to pinpoint the cause of the fire and hope that information from the other adults will help to determine the cause. The house was owned by Mark Beaton,” said McCausland.
Easton Fire Chief Kim White said the structure is believed to be a total loss.
“It was fully engulfed when we arrived. In addition to the two victims, the family also lost a dog. Firefighters were able to save a kitten,” said White.
The home is located about a mile from McCain Foods, where several of the volunteer firefighters who responded to the blaze are employed.
Assisting the Easton Fire Department were crews from Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield and Mars Hill. Also assisting at the scene were deputies with the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office. Crown Ambulance also responded.
“A total of 24 firefighters from Easton were provided mutual aid by tankers and six firefighters from each of the other communities,” said White.
The road was blocked to through traffic for several hours to allow emergency personnel to do their jobs.
American Red Cross disaster caseworkers and disaster mental health workers joined Emergency Services Director Danielle Hardre in responding to the fire as well.
White said this is the first fatal fire Easton has seen in decades.
“The last fatal fire recorded in Easton occurred in 1959,” said White.
