The Erwins lived in the upstairs apartment of a two-family home in Augusta. The fire began about 2 a.m. on a February morning in 1994. Though the fire didn't spread beyond the bathroom, it filled the apartment with thick smoke. They also discovered numerous empty beer cans by the living room sofa. Tests determined they'd both been drinking.
Smoke is usually the culprit that overwhelms fire victims like the Erwins.
When a fire burns, carbon monoxide is released. And if someone has been drinking alcohol on top of that, they're going to be even more confused. The bottom line is that alcohol depresses all brain function and in a fire the reduction of judgment, sensory input and coordination can be lethal.'' The more alcohol consumed, the greater the chance that the victim won't even wake from sleep. And then you learn the blood alcohol and that explains everything. Two brothers, Kern and Freeman Robinson, weren't thinking clearly the frigid winter afternoon they set themselves on fire on Vinalhaven.