Lewiston house fire deemed suspicious; wanted man arrested in Auburn

Lewiston Home Fire Investigated; Wanted Man Arrested in Connection

Lewiston, Maine – Police and fire officials are conducting an investigation after a fire broke out at a Lewiston residence that had recently been the focus of a police inquiry. The blaze occurred on Tuesday evening at a house on 45‑mile‑way Avenue (exact address withheld for privacy), where officers had been working on a separate case involving criminal activity.

According to the Lewiston‑Fall River Police Department, the fire was contained quickly by the local fire department, but the extent of damage to the property is still under assessment. No injuries were reported, and no one was found inside the house when the fire was extinguished.

In a related development, authorities apprehended a man who had been wanted in connection with the earlier police investigation. The suspect, who was identified in a press release as a 32‑year‑old resident of Lewiston, was arrested on charges tied to the same case. While officials have not released specific details about the charges, the arrest was said to be part of the ongoing investigation into the earlier incident.

Chief of Police Thomas Hart said the department will continue to look into whether the fire was accidental or deliberate. “We are treating this as a matter that could have serious implications for the community, and we are working closely with the fire department to determine the cause,” Hart told reporters at the police headquarters.

The Lewiston Fire Department’s chief, Maria Alvarez, noted that the fire was “unusual in the pattern of damage” and that the investigation would involve examining potential arson indicators. “We are following standard procedures to assess all possibilities,” she said.

The case remains under investigation, with authorities urging anyone with information about the fire or the earlier police inquiry to contact the Lewiston‑Fall River Police Department.