Burned man still in serious condition

PORTLAND – A Frenchville man burned in an ice-fishing shack fire Jan. 13 at St. Agatha still was listed in serious condition Monday at Maine Medical Center, according to hospital officials.

Edward Eckstein, 48, of Frenchville and formerly of Charleston, suffered third-degree burns on his hands, face, chest and back. He was injured about 9:30 p.m. when his ice-fishing shack burst into flames.

Investigators theorized the fire erupted while Eckstein was refilling a liquid fuel lantern. Fumes from the white gasoline may have been ignited by a cigarette or a candle used for light when the lantern went out. The 6-foot-by-8-foot shack remained intact after the fire, but the interior was gutted.