Two Maine Fires Blamed on Smoking Around Oxygen

Fire investigators are warning of the dangers of smoking around oxygen tanks after two fires in southern Maine.

According to the state fire marshal’s office, two separate fires early Friday morning in southern Maine are being blamed on men who lit up cigarettes while on oxygen.

The first fire destroyed a two-unit house in Saco. A short time later, another fire destroyed a home in Limerick.

Fire marshals say smoking around oxygen is dangerous because the gas increases the speed at which fire burns and many times results in fire balls.