Two men died overnight Sunday in the state’s first two fatal fires of 2016 in Gorham and Waterville, according to the Department of Public Safety.
In Waterville, the body of David Chamberlain, 60, was discovered in his mobile home on Pooler Parkway, according to spokesman Stephen McCausland.
McCausland said a neighbor discovered that fire at 3:30 a.m. Monday and called 911, and firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed in flames.
Chamberlain’s body was found near his bedroom.
In Gorham, Barry Dunlap, 55, succumbed to a kitchen fire, which broke out around 6:45 p.m. Sunday, McCausland said.
That fire was also discovered by a neighbor. Dunlap is believed to have been deep frying on his kitchen stove when the oil caught fire and ignited the kitchen cabinets.
Investigators believe Dunlap attempted to extinguish the blaze and suffered severe burns as a result. McCausland said he was found on the kitchen floor and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Both fires remain under investigation.
