Condemned building fire ruled human-caused

LEWISTON (AP) - Investigators in Lewiston have determined that a fire in a condemned apartment building was human-caused, but don't know whether it was an accident or intentional.

Fire Department Inspector Julian Sorrell told the Lewiston Tribune he'll work with detectives at the Lewiston Police Department to find witnesses to how the fire started late last month.

The century-old Victorian mansion had been converted to an apartment building. It was condemned in August and utilities were disconnected. But squatters rigged power to some apartments.

Sorrell said there was no power in the area where the fire started.

The building was condemned after a former manager reported sewage leaking from upper floors, smoke detectors that didn't work, vermin and faulty wiring.