Fatal Noyes Street fire cause ruled accidental, not criminal
Six people killed in fire
The Maine Fire Marshal's Office says the fire that killed six people on Noyes Street in Portland last year was accidental.
Watch the news conference
During a news conference Wednesday morning, investigators said the fire was caused by the improper disposal of smoking materials on a porch of the apartment building.
Portland Fire Chief Jerome Lamoria said the smoking materials were placed in a receptacle on the porch's wooden floor, next to recycling containers and furniture.
"Because of the location of the fire and the time of day, this fire grew in intensity undetected. At the time the fire was discovered, the main entrance door to the residents and the porch were engulfed in flames, rendering that exit impassable," said Lamoria
Investigators said another exit was blocked, and the building's smoke detectors were not working.
Lamoria said testing by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives supports the conclusion of the investigation.
While investigators said the cause of the fire was accidental and not criminal, the report on the investigation has been given to the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office to see if any charges will be filed.
The report will not be made public until it is reviewed by the DA.
The fire started early on Nov. 1, 2014, after a Halloween party the night before.
It killed Portland residents Nicole Finlay, David Bragdon Jr., Ashley Thomas and Christopher Conlee, Topsham resident Maelisha Jackson and Rockland resident Steven Summers. Several others escaped.
Summers' widow was at Wednesday's news conference.
"I know there are a lot of families that are heartbroken, and I feel for them, and I know they feel for me. I just hope that other landlords out there really take notice of this and do the right thing," said Summers.
Summers' lawyer has filed a $1.7 million wrongful death lawsuit against the owner of the building, Gregory Nisbet.
"Clearly it falls on the landlord's shoulders, and this landlord didn't pay any attention, and I've always thought all along that he was acting recklessly, so that's our perspective," said lawyer Tom Hallet.
A second family has filed a $2 million lawsuit against Nisbet. Nisbet's lawyer did not return WMTW News 8's calls for comment.
It was the deadliest fire in Maine in 40 years.