On Sunday, September 21, at approximately 2:17 am, the Portland Fire Department responded to a fire at 43 St. Lawrence Street, (on Munjoy Hill) a 3-story, 4-unit apartment building.  All units were occupied at the time.

Fire crews encountered heavy fire conditions on the rear porch of the building and confirmed that evacuation efforts were underway.  During suppression efforts, two individuals were found deceased inside the structure.  Boh were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Eaminer in Augusta where autopsies will be performed to determine the cause of death and establish positive identification,

The fire remains under investigation.  Anyone with information or video related to the incident is asked to contact the Portland Police Department at 207 – 874-8575 or the Maine State Fire Marshall’s Office at 207 – 626-3870,

The American Red Cross is providing assistance to displaced tenants according to Shannon Moss, Public Information Officer, for the Maine Department of Public Safety, Augusta.