MAXWELL -- Officials investigating Sunday's fatal house fire in Maxwell say they do not believe there is anything suspicious about the blaze, which broke out around 12:33 a.m. Sunday.
The man who died in the fire has been identified as Craig Polston, 62, according to Major Bobby Campbell of the Hancock County Sheriff's Department. Two others, a woman in the home and a Greenfield Fire Territory firefighter, were slightly injured during the fire but have been treated and are expected to be fine, officials said.
Greenfield Fire Territory Fire Marshal Steve Kropacek was still investigating the fire late Sunday and Monday. He told the Daily Reporter he does not suspect anything suspicious about how the fire started. Kropacek did credit smoke alarms for saving the life of at least the woman who was in the house when the fire started but heard the alarms and was able to get out.
"They did have working smoke alarms and that helped save the woman's life, but unfortunately the male in the house was not able to get out in time," Kropacek said. "If that's one thing we can share with people at this time is to please have working smoke alarms in your home."
Kropacek noted it could take some time to determine exactly what caused the fire that took Polston's life and why he wasn't able to get out in time. Kropacek stated officials may not know more until the insurance company sends in a more specialized investigator which could take time.
Monday restoration crews were on the scene surveying the structures that actually burned two homes, a house in the 100 block of S. Center St., Maxwell and a garage near the home that looked to be on the same property or just right next door. The restoration crews put up safety fences around the structures.
The fire broke out just after midnight Sunday and burned quickly, fire officials said. Crews from Greenfield Fire Territory and surrounding departments worked throughout the night to contain the fire and get it under control. Units were on the scene for several hours until around 7:30 a.m.