A 56-year old former Gorham firefighter well-known in the community died in a tragic blaze at his home Sunday evening.

Gorham Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre on Monday identified the victim as Barry Dunlap, 56, the sole occupant of his home at 8 Bear Run in the White Rock section of Gorham.

Lefebvre said a neighbor reported the fire at 6:46 p.m., and Dunlap’s nephew was aboard the first fire truck to arrive at the scene. Lefebvre said the victim was rescued within the first five minutes but efforts to resusitate him failed.

Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said in a statement Monday that investigators reported that it appeared Dunlap was deep frying when oil caught fire and ignited kitchen cabinets.

The victim, Lefebvre said, had been preparing to cook clams and French fries in the kitchen and had attempted to extinguish the grease fire on his stove.

Lefebvre said there will be an autopsy by the state’s medical examiner to determine the cause of death.

Dunlap, a mechanic, had been a member of Gorham Fire Department several years ago. Lefebvre said he “knew him well” and and his family “has been very active. The whole family is well known.”

Lefebvre said there was heavy fire on the first floor of Dunlap’s home when firefighters arrived, but the fire was contained to the kitchen.

“The house is definitly rebuildable,” Lefebvre said.

According to Gorham tax records, Dunlap’s was a 1 1/2-story Cape Cod-style log home built in 1988.

Many members of the Gorham Fire Department knew Dunlap, and Lefebvre said counseling is available to its firefighters.

“We’ve talked to crews who were first in and offered them assistance,” Lefebvre said.

The Windham Fire Department assisted Gorham and firefighters were at the scene until 11 p.m. Sunday. Crews from Buxton, Scarborough, Standish and Westbrook covered Gorham fire stations.

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