NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine — A faulty smoke detector is being blamed for the death of a local man in a Sunday evening fire, according to officials.
Raymond Howland, 63, likely would have survived had the battery-operated smoke detector in his home been functioning, Department of Public Safety Spokesman Stephen McCausland said.
Howland died of smoke inhalation from the blaze that started inside his living room, according to McCausland.
Officials have ruled that a cause cannot be determined, and Howland’s body was found on the front stairway of his split-level ranch home.
Howland’s death marks the 15th fire death in the state this year.
