February 13, 2025
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911 system functioned during Gorham fire

GORHAM – Officials say a regional emergency 911 system apparently worked properly when neighbors at a mobile home park in Gorham called to report a fire Tuesday that killed an elderly woman.

The effectiveness of the 911 system came into question in light of glitches in the emergency lines at the Cumberland County Regional Dispatch Center in Windham.

Gorham Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre said he had heard indirectly that two people had difficulties when reporting the Tuesday morning fire at the home of Elinor Downes. The 78-year-old woman died when a cigarette she was smoking ignited oxygen she used to help her breathe.

FairPoint Communications said the company believes it has identified a software problem linked to the 911 difficulties that forced calls to be shifted to the state police communications center in Gray.


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