PORTLAND, Maine - Portland Police have released the identities of five young adults killed in a fire Saturday at an apartment building on Noyes Street. Another remains in critical condition at a Boston hospital. Police released the information at a press conference this afternoon.
Police say the five dead have been identified as David Bragdon, Jr., 27, a tenant of the building, Ashley Thomas, 29, also a tenant, along with Christopher Conlee, 25, of Portland, and Maelisha Jackson, 26, of Topsham, neither of whom lived in the building.
Authorities said the fifth victim is believed to be Nicole Finlay, 26, who also lived in the building at 20-24 Noyes Street, but say they are awaiting confirmation from the state Medical Examiner.
Meanwhile, Steven Summers, 29, of Rockland, is still being treated for severe burns at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Summers managed to escape by jumping from a second-story window, witnesses said. Seven other people escaped the burning building unharmed.
Federal and state investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fire.
Tom Porter contributed to this story.
