Ashland fire claims life of man living in camper
ASHLAND, Maine — A 60-year-old local man died early Wednesday morning after the small camper he was living in caught fire.
While a positive identification will have to come from the state medical examiner’s office, likely after DNA testing, investigators with the state fire marshal’s office believe the victim was Michael Kelley.
Kelley had been sleeping in the 17-by-8-foot camper on the Main Street property of Mark Flint Logging near downtown Ashland, according to Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland. Kelley had been staying at the location with permission since early fall, and previously had stayed at other friends’ properties in his camper, McCausland said. Mark Flint Logging could not be reached for comment.
McCausland said fire investigators are looking into a number of potential causes, including a propane heater and candles. Kelley was the 16th person in Maine who died in a fire this year, according to authorities.
Kelley did not have a vehicle and “walked everywhere,” said Timothy Boutot, owner of Hornets Hometown Convenience store in Ashland.
“He came in and asked for a ride every once in awhile, and I would help him out sometimes,” Boutot said. “He wasn’t a bad guy. It’s sad what happened.”
