Fiery crash in Durham leaves one dead

DURHAM — One person was dead late Friday after a vehicle struck a pole on Quaker Meetinghouse Road and burst into flames, according to a police dispatcher.

Police and rescue crews went to the area at about 8:30 p.m. where they found a pole and wires down and the vehicle burning, a firefighter said. Power was shut off to the entire grid so firefighters and rescue crews could get to the vehicle and the person inside.

Hours after the crash, crews remained at the scene of the wreck, and the identity of the victim was not immediately available. It was unclear whether there were others inside the vehicle.

Police shut down a section of Quaker Meetinghouse Road, which runs between routes 136 and 125, while fire and rescue crews fought the flames. Central Maine Power Co. cut power to the area for about an hour.

Maine State Police are conducting the investigation.

mlaflamme@sunjournal.com