On Wednesday, December 3 2025, at approximately 5:00 pm., the Sumner Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at a residence on Valley Road in Sumner.

The fire was reported by an individual who saw the fire from a distance and called 911.  Responding crews experienced significant challenges accessing the residence due to its off-grid location and a roughly one-mile approach requiring the use of all-terrain vehicles and 4×4 pickup trucks.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a deceased adult male outside of the structure.  The residence, which was powered solely by propane and solar eneergy, was found to be a total loss.  Due to the circumstances and the fatality involved, the Sumner Fire Department requested assistance from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office to conductd an origin and cause investigation.  That investigation remains active and ongoing.  The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is working closely with the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta to positively identify the deceased individual.  No further details are being released at this time.