SANFORD — The State Fire Marshal’s Office and Sanford Police are looking for two men wanted for questioning in connection with a house fire in Sanford earlier this month.

The house at 26 Montreal St. was destroyed in the July 6 fire. Investigators determined the cause was arson.

The two men being sought are Johnathon Cox, 25, and Lonnie McMahon, 23, said Maine Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland.

Although the two men are from the Sanford-Springvale area, McCausland said that they do not have permanent addresses, and authorities have so far been unable to locate them.

Anyone knowing the location of Cox or McMahon is asked to call Sanford Police at 324-3644, or the State Fire Marshal’s Office, in care of the Public Safety Communications Center in Augusta at 624-7076.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 4:26 a.m. on Saturday, July 6.

Police said the three residents of 26 Montreal St. and five occupants of 24 Montreal St., which was also damaged in the blaze, all got out safely.

None of the residents or firefighters was injured.

Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, according to Sanford Fire Department Lt. Rick Smith.

Video from a surveillance camera turned into police shortly after the blaze showed two people nearby.

A criminal fire investigator with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined Sanford Police and investigators with the State Fire Marshal ‘s Office in the probe soon after the fire took place.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.  Managing Editor Dina Mendros contributed to this report.

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