Victim of car fire ID’d as Bangor man

TOWNSHIP 30 MD – The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the man who died in a car fire over the weekend is Morgan Gathercole, 24, of Bangor. His identity was confirmed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland said in a prepared statement issued Tuesday.

Investigators say Gathercole apparently fell asleep inside a car that was left running, and the vehicle’s exhaust system ignited pine needles underneath.

Fire marshals said the man who was with Gathercole fishing at Salmon Pond in Washington County was Daniel Inman, 48, of Bangor, who attempted to put the fire out.

A passer-by saw the smoke and fire and, because there is no cell phone service in that area, had to drive about six miles to call for help.

BDN reporter Diana Graettinger and The Associated Press contributed to this story.