Investigators: Electrical Problem Caused Deadly Oxford Fire

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says an electrical problem caused a fire that claimed the life of an elderly woman early Saturday morning in Oxford.

Firefighters responded to the Oxford Meadows apartment complex on Main Street just before 2 a.m.

Fire investigators, working with a state electrical inspector, determined that a wire connected to an electrical outlet in the first floor common area caused a spark, said Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.

A table lamp had been connected to the outlet. The fire spread quickly because of a wicker basket near the lamp contained newspapers, McCausland said.

Theresa Heino, 85, was killed in the fire.

Virginia Brown, 65, is in stable condition at Stephens Memorial Hospital.

The complex houses many elderly, disabled and low-income residents.

The American Red Cross is assisting residents who were displaced by the fire.