A vacant Augusta home burned Saturday after a candle burned a rubber hose connecting a propane tank to a portable heater.
Three men were squatting in the vacant Pike Street home, where they had a 20-gallon propane tank connected to a “buddy heater,” according to Maine State Police Lt. Aaron Turcotte.
On Saturday afternoon, the rubber hose connecting the tank to the heater came into contact with a lit candle, igniting a blaze.
When firefighters arrived, they discovered heavy flames inside the home. With the help of crews from three other towns, firefighters got control of the fire but not before it caused significant damage to the vacant house.
The three men were spotted fleeing the property after the fire broke out, all of whom have been identified but not publicly.
The Kennebec County district attorney’s office will determine whether to file criminal charges.
The fire remains under investigation.
