BIDDEFORD — An investigator with the Office of the State Fire Marshal said the investigation into the arson fire at 35 Main St. is continuing.

No suspect has been arrested in relation to the fire, which has been deemed a homicide. One of the 25 people who were living in the building when the blaze occurred on Sept. 18, at about 3:30 a.m., died as a result of his injuries on Friday.

Eight people suffering from smoke inhalation had been taken to hospitals in Biddeford and Portland, said Fire Marshal Investigator Sgt. Joel Davis. Six victims taken to Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford, suffering from minor smoke inhalation, were treated and released, he said.

Two men who were roommates were pulled unconscious from the fire from their third-floor bedroom. They were critically injured and were brought to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Michael Moore, 23, died from his injuries, said Davis. James Ford, 21, is expected to survive.

According to Davis, the Main Street fire started in the rear stairwell.

It was first reported by a passerby. The first responder ”“ a police officer ”“ pulled a fire alarm, which didn’t work, and then pulled a second alarm to alert the fire department.

The smoke detector in the third floor attic, where firefighters found Moore and Ford sleeping, didn’t appear to be working, said Davis.

Biddeford Police, the Biddeford Fire Department, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Maine State Police are all involved in the investigation at 35 Main St., said State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland.

No suspect has been named in connection with the case, he said.

The investigation is looking into whether there are code violations, said McCausland, such as whether the required smoke detectors were installed and operating according to state law.

In addition, Davis said, it appeared that some of the units in the three-story, 16-unit building didn’t have a second means of egress, as required by state law.

Biddeford Code Enforcement Officer Roby Fecteau referred calls relating to the building to the office of the state fire marshal. Because of lack of staffing and other resources, the Biddeford Code Enforcement Office usually investigates potential code violations only when it receives a complaint or when the building is entered for other reasons by city staff, such as in the case of a fire.

McCausland said the building’s owner, Nielson Clark, of Englewood, Florida, could face criminal charges depending on the results of the investigation.

While the criminal investigation is ongoing, Biddeford Health and Welfare Director Vicky Edgerly said her office has been helping the victims in the aftermath of the fire. She said the Red Cross had paid to put up some of the tenants in a hotel after the fire and through the weekend.

Some of the building’s residents turned to family or friends for shelter. Others are being put up in the city’s two emergency apartments.

One tenant had called her department on Monday to seek help to find a new place to live, said Edgerly. No one has been allowed to return to the Main Street building, she said.

Fire victims who need help finding a new residence can call her office at 284-9514 to be interviewed and to see what kind of assistance they may qualify for, said Edgerly. Landlords who have vacant, affordable, one-bedroom apartments for rent are also encouraged to call the health and welfare office.

The Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center will accept clothing and bedding donations for the fire victims. Donors should call the center at 571-9601 before dropping off items.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].