4-Unit Building In Foreclosure + Out-Of-State Landlord + Possibly Faulty Electrical System = Blaze That Leaves 11 Tenants Temporarily Homeless

In Gardiner, Maine, the Kennebec Journal reports:

• Eleven people were forced from their apartments Monday night in Gardiner when a fire broke out in a four-unit apartment building at 37 Winter St.
  
  Gardiner Fire Chief Al Nelson said a tenant on the second floor called for help around 9 p.m., reporting light smoke and a crackling noise in the building. Firefighters found fire in a wall and Nelson said it appears the fire started in the electrical system. All tenants got out safely but were forced to find other accommodations for the night because the Fire Department had to cut off electricity and water to the building.
  
  The American Red Cross said three families stayed with friends and relatives last night and would continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The agency would be able to provide assistance with clothing, food and medical needs.
  
  “Now that we know short-term housing has been found, we will continue working (with the families) to ensure all their physical needs are met,” said Eric Lynes, disaster program manager for the Red Cross in Lewiston. “It is better to be surrounded by loved ones at a time like this.”
  
  The building is in foreclosure, according to Gardiner city records. The owner of record, Wade Riley, could not be reached for comment. Riley has a Plano, Texas, address listed on property records.
  
  Lynes said he could not say when or whether the families will be able to return to their homes.

For more, see Gardiner apartment fire displaces 11 (No one was hurt, but tenants were not allowed to stay the night at the Winter Street multi-unit because the electricity had to be disconnected).