BUCKSPORT, Maine — A house fire on Central Street has resulted in the death of a Bucksport resident.
The body of 74-year-old Clifford Lambert was found in the kitchen of the single-story home at 96 Central Street when firefighters arrived, according to Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
The fire was reported at about 1:30 p.m. by a passer-by. Firefighters arrived minutes later and found heavy smoke coming out of the house and from under the eaves, according to Bucksport Fire Chief Craig Bowden.
Lambert lived alone in the ranch-style house.
Investigators with the state fire marshal’s office said the fire started in the living room, according to McCausland. The cause is likely related to smoking, he said. There was heavy fire damage to the living room and smoke and water damage throughout the rest of the house.
Firefighters went in the home, quickly found the body and had the blaze put out within a few minutes, Bowden said. He said the state medical examiner’s office is expected to conduct an autopsy on Friday.
The fire chief estimated that there may be $50,000 worth of damage to the home. However, he said that it did not have structural damage, and so it may be salvageable.
