Waterville, Maine Woman Severely Injured in a Fire

A woman suffered life-threatening burns, and several pets died in a fire at a Waterville home.

Waterville, Maine, House Fire Severely Injures a Female Occupant

The State Fire Marshal's Office has identified the woman as 42-year-old Lauren Slack. Officials say she suffered life-threatening burn injuries and was taken to a Waterville hospital before being flown by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

It was just after 7 pm on Thursday when the Waterville Fire Department was called to a structure fire at 35 Washington Street in Waterville.

The 911 call, alerting authorities to the fire, was made by a passerby.

Waterville, Maine, House Fire Kills Several Pets, While Others Survived

When fire crews arrived on scene, they found Ms. Slack in the house and immediately began life-saving measures before the Delta Ambulance arrived.

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Several pets died in the fire. Several others survived the blaze and are being cared for by the Waterville Animal Control Officer.

Maine State Fire Marshal Says Waterville House Fire Started in the Fireplace

An investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office determined that the fire originated in the living room fireplace.

Investigators say that the woman had applied lighter fluid to a fire in the fireplace, creating a flash fire that caused the injuries.

The single-family home sustained moderate damage.

This incident remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office.

We'll update this story as more details become available.