Seth_Koenig@TimesRecord.Com
06/09/2008
Officials: Blaze was fueled by oxygen and likely sparked by a cigarette
BATH — Public safety officials this morning released the name of a Bath man who
died in an explosive fire on Windjammer Way on Sunday night.
Joseph H. Richards, 68, died in a blaze that investigators believe was triggered
by smoking while on oxygen.
"The positive identification will come from the medical examiner's office today,
but we have no reason to believe it was anyone other than the resident," said
Stephen Mc-Causland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. "This
is the second fire death we've had in Maine this year from this same cause,
which is smoking while on oxygen. It's a deadly combination."
According to Bath Fire Chief Stephen Hinds, the fire was called in at 5:10 p.m.
and crews were on hand until nearly 8 p.m. Despite the explosions of several
oxygen tanks in the blaze — as well as the close proximity of other units in the
apartment complex — firefighters contained the fire to 20A Windjammer Way.
"The fire was concentrated in his apartment, and the fire was stopped there as
well," said McCausland.
"Upon arrival, there were cannisters blowing up," said Hinds. "It was a quick,
hot fire. That's what happens when there's oxygen like that. The guys did a good
job — it didn't spread to any other units. That was unit A, and nothing burned
in unit B."
In addition to Bath firefighters, crews from West Bath, Brunswick, Brunswick
Naval Air Station, Phippsburg and Woolwich responded to the call.