Two people found dead in Oct. 31 Thurmont fire are identified

December 02, 2008

THURMONT, Md. -- Two people found dead inside a burning home in Thurmont on Oct. 31 have been identified, the Frederick County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Tuesday.

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore determined that Eric Lester Forrest, 39, and Erik Thomas Sanger, 39, died in the fire at 12841B Catoctin Furnace Road, the release said.

According to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation Web site, Forrest and Sanger rented the one-story, single-family home owned by Arthur Dale Kemp.

The medical examiner's office has not determined the cause and manner of the men's deaths, the release said.

Investigators from the Frederick County Fire Marshal's Office, the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office and the Frederick County Sheriff's Department are continuing the investigation, according to the release.

The fire was reported at about 3:20 a.m. Oct. 31 by a passer-by who saw smoke and fire coming from the house, Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services spokesman Michael P. Dmuchowski said. While firefighters were putting out the fire, they found the bodies of two adults, Dmuchowski said.

More than 50 fire and emergency personnel responded to the incident, Dmuchowski said.

Investigators were unable to find any smoke alarms in the home, the release said.

Damage was estimated at $60,000 and no other injuries were reported, Dmuchowski said.

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