5 dead, 1 injured, more missing in Maine fire

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Fire swept through a two-apartment building near the University of Southern Maine's commuter campus this morning, killing five people and critically injuring one, authorities said. It was unclear if any of the victims were students.

The fire, which gutted the two-story structure, was reported at 7:17 a.m. after a Halloween party the night before.

"We do not know whether the victims are residents of the home or guests," said state fire marshals' spokesman Steve McCausland.

Information about the victims was confusing. McCausland at first said the victims were students but later said they weren't. This afternoon, Portland Fire Chief Jerry LaMoria said they don't know if any were students.

Initial reports also said several people were unaccounted for but by later in the day, authorities were unsure how many, if any, were still missing.

One person suffered severe burns and jumped from a second-story window. He was reported in critical condition in the burn unit of a Boston hospital, McCausland said. A second person was treated and released from a hospital; seven people escaped from the burning building.