The Rear Section of 43 St. Lawrence Street is Where the Fire is Belieed to have Originated Leaving the Building  “Uninhabitable” according to a City Official on the Property This Afternoon.

The Apartment Building at 43 St. Lawrence Street Following an Early Morning Fire in Which Two People Perished.

Nicole Niehoff, 45, and Jake Millett, 40, both of Portand, are believed to be the two individuals who perished in the fire at 43 St. Lawrence Street on Sunday, September 21, 2025 according to a press release issued by Shannon Moss, Public Information Officer, for the Maine Department of Public Safety this afternoon.

Preliminary findings indicate the fire originated on the rear second-floor porch area of the building before spreading into the interior ot the structure, causing significant damage.

Fire investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshall and the Portland Fire Department are working in conjunction with the Portland Police Department investigating the cause of the fire that occurred in the four-unit apartment building early on Sunday morning.  At this time, investigators are confident that no foul play is suspected.

A woman who lives two buildings from where the fire occurred early on Sunday morning said that she work up early that morning.  She wokd earlly because of the noise from the saws and other equipment used by fire fighters breaking into the building.  She said this was about 2:00 am.

The investigation remains active.  Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

For background information on the tragedy on Munjoy Hill, please visit post herein dated September 21, 2025.