Fire claims life of Fort man
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD — An early-morning fire March 7 at a residence on Presque Isle Street claimed the life of a local man.
The fire was reported shortly after midnight. and is believed to have started by improper disposal of smoking materials.
“According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Norman LaPointe, 38, died in the early morning hours of March 7, when fire swept through his apartment at 13 Presque Isle St.,” said Steve McCausland, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
LaPointe’s body was found in his third-floor studio apartment. Three other occupants of the two other apartments escaped the fire after being awakened by smoke detectors.
“Fire investigators said careless disposal of smoking materials in a waste basket in LaPointe’s apartment is the likely cause of the fire,” said McCausland.
This was the state’s fifth fire death so far this year. Officials indicate it could have been worse, had it not been for having a working alarm system. Authorities stress the importance of regularly testing and replacing batteries in smoke detectors.
