A tragic blaze claimed the life of a 67-year-old man sleeping in a tent on a frigid New Hampshire morning. Wayne Miller was identified as the victim of the fire that erupted earlier today in the backyard of a residence on Liscomb Circle in Gilford, local authorities said.
Misfortune struck just before 3:30 a.m. when firefighters rushed to extinguish the flames, only to find Miller unresponsive. His death has been attributed to smoke inhalation, and it has been ruled accidental, NBC Boston reports. Despite the immediate efforts of the emergency services, it was too late for Miller, described as, a friend of the homeowner.
As of now, the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Authorities have yet to piecemeal the series of events that led to the fatal incident. Gilford police and the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office are leading the inquiry into this grim discovery. The public has been urged to come forward with any information that may illuminate the circumstances of the fire. The NH State Fire Marshal’s Office can be reached for tips at 603-223-4289 or through email at [email protected].
Officials from the local fire department issued a statement with a reminder of the inherent dangers of using space heaters, especially near combustible materials. "Be sure they are kept at least 3 feet away from combustible materials," a preventative caution intended to ward off similar tragedies, according to WMUR.
