Man Dies in Presque Isle House Fire

Authorities investigating cause of fatal blaze with no working smoke detectors upstairs

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A man died early Wednesday morning in a house fire in Presque Isle, Maine. The fire broke out around 3:43 a.m. on the second floor of the Ginn Road home, where there were no functioning smoke detectors. Two other people escaped safely, but the victim was found dead inside the home. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.

Why it matters

House fires are a leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, and the lack of working smoke detectors is a major contributing factor. This tragic incident highlights the importance of fire safety and the need for all homes to have properly installed and maintained smoke alarm systems.

The details

When firefighters arrived at the Ginn Road home, they encountered heavy flames on the second floor. Two people who had escaped told authorities that a third person was still inside. Tragically, the man was found dead after firefighters searched the home. Investigators believe the fire started in the victim's second-floor bedroom, where no smoke detectors were functioning.

  • The fire broke out around 3:43 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • The victim's body was taken to the Maine medical examiner's office in Augusta to determine the cause of death and positively identify him.

The players

Maine Department of Public Safety

The state agency responsible for investigating the fire and providing information to the public.

Shannon Moss

A spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety who provided details about the incident.

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What’s next

Investigators will continue to work to determine the exact cause of the fire, and the medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to establish the victim's cause of death.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the critical importance of having working smoke detectors in all areas of a home, as they can provide early warning and save lives in the event of a fire. It also highlights the need for ongoing fire safety education and prevention efforts to reduce the number of preventable fire-related deaths.