Portland Fire Department Releases Funeral Information for Captain Michael Kucsma

Portland, Maine – The Portland Fire Department is releasing finalized funeral arrangements for Captain Michael Kucsma.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Friday June 20th between the hours of 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM at Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home located at 199 Woodfords St in Portland.

An Ecumenical funeral service with honors will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception located at 196 Cumberland Ave in Portland, beginning at 10:00 AM on Saturday June 21st 2014.  A uniform presence has been requested by the family.

A large turnout is expected. Mike Kucsma was well liked and respected firefighter in Portland and Gorham Maine as well as known in many circles across Maine and the New England Region.  The Portland Fire Department, with the help of generous

Portland Fire Captain Michael Kucsma’s death ruled “natural” and attributed to a heart attack.

Portland, Maine – The State Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta has released preliminary findings as a result of the autopsy performed today on Portland Fire Department Captain Michael Kucsma.  The Medical Examiner has determined that Kucsma, 43, died as a result of a heart attack while scuba diving Monday afternoon.

When notified of the findings by the Medical Examiner Portland Fire Chief Jerome LaMoria stated “This report is bittersweet, allowing his family and co-workers additional peace of mind, yet, there is still the task of saying goodbye to a son, a husband, a brother and a friend.”

As a result of the preliminary findings both Portland and Gorham Fire Department along with union officials are making the preliminary required reports regarding public safety officer’s death in the line of duty. The public safety officer’s line of duty death benefit provides certain benefits to survivors if the firefighter or other public safety official death meets certain specific criteria.

Kucsma had responded to an emergency call in Gorham earlier in the day.  Kucsma was a deputy chief in the Gorham fire Department and regularly responded to emergency calls for that Department as well as Portland, where he was the Captain assigned to Engine 6.

“While this will never bring Mike back, if approved, this will provide some security to his family” continued LaMoria

Funeral arrangements will be released later this evening by the Portland Fire Department.

Portland Fire investigators continue the investigation of the 3 alarm fire that destroyed an Irving Street building.

Portland, Maine – Investigators have determined that the 3 alarm fire at 84 Irving Street most likely started on the first floor of the building, but, have not yet determined what ignited the blaze.  The fire was reported shortly after 9:30 pm Sunday.  Investigators continue to gather and evaluate evidence as well as witness statements related to the fire.

“The presence of working smoke detectors certainly helped to prevent a very tragic outcome in this incident.” States Fire Chief Jerome LaMoria.  Six people escaped the fire because of functioning smoke detectors.   There were no reported injuries.

Portland Fire responded to an early morning two alarm fire at Boone's Restaurant on Custom House Wharf

Portland Maine – While investigating a fire alarm at a local restaurant firefighters from Engine 5 and Ladder 1 discovered a fire in the walls surrounding a chimney in Boone's Fish House Oyster Room.   The alarm sounded a shortly after 4:00AM.

 “When fire crews entered the business they discovered smoke and immediately called for more help.” said Portland Fire Chief Jerome LaMoria.  Firefighters extinguished the difficult to access fire after a second alarm was requested.  LaMoria continued “Firefighters on the scene eventually discovered the source of the smoke in the facade surrounding the chimney and fireplace.  Unfortunately, we had to completely remove the facade to the fireplace to extinguish the fire, The good news is this fire could have been much worse, had it not been for the functioning fire alarm system, it worked exactly as it should have.”

Preliminary damage estimates are approximately $50,000.  The business was empty when firefighters arrived and there are no reported injuries.

Portland health inspectors were called to the scene, which is routine after a fire in a restaurant, to ensure food safety.  Fire crews and investigators left the scene around 7:45AM