February 13, 2025
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Woman dies in blaze started by cigarette

GORHAM – The State Fire Marshal’s Office said Tuesday that smoking was the cause of an early morning fire in Gorham that killed an elderly woman.

Investigators said 78-year-old Elinor Downes was using oxygen to assist her breathing and died after her cigarette, fueled by the oxygen, ignited her clothing.

Her body was found by firefighters after they were called to her mobile home just after 7 a.m. when neighbors reported the fire.

Downes lived alone and her oxygen tank was located in the same room where her body was found. The mobile home was gutted in the fire, authorities said.


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