On the evening of Friday, October 24, the identity of the victim in this fire was identified.  He is Paul Veryville, 62.

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at approximately 2:07 am., the Office of State Fire Marshall responded to 70 Pleasant Drive in Benton following a report of a residential fire.  Upon arrival, firefighters found a single-family residence that was fully involved.  Mutual aid was provided by other nearby Fire Departments.  Benton is in Kennebec County.

Suppression efforts brought the fire under control, though Pleasant Street was temporarily closed to allow for energency operations.  During firefighter operations, crews located a decreased individual inside the residence. One dog was also located deceased inside the home.

The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta to determine the cause of death and for positive identification.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.  No further information is available at this time according to Shannon Moss, Public Information Officer, Maine Deparatment of Public Safety.