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Person Smoking While on Oxygen Sparked Apartment Fire

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


OAKLAND, Maine (AP)   Fire officials say a person smoking a cigarette while on oxygen caused an apartment fire that displaced eight people in Maine.

The Morning Sentinel reports the fire broke out on the second-floor of an apartment building in Oakland Wednesday night.

One person was hospitalized with minor injuries, and three apartments were damaged by water and smoke.

Oakland Fire Chief David Coughlin says the improper disposal of smoking materials also caused the fire. No charges will be filed.

Building owner Tony Stark says the building will be repaired, and most of the tenants have renters insurance.

Stark declined to give the name of the smoking tenant, but he says the fire should serve as a cautionary tale as to why people shouldn’t smoke.

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