RICHMOND — A local boy who was burned in a house fire Sunday was in critical condition at a Boston hospital Monday.
Michael Coston, 9, was in critical but stable condition, according to a spokeswoman at Shriners Hospital for Children.
Coston suffered burns over 60 percent of his body Sunday when fire broke out at his River Road home. He was taken to Central Maine Medical Center by Gardiner Ambulance, according to Richmond Fire Chief Andrew Pierce, and later flown to Boston.
A 911 call came from the home at 395 River Road about 10:41 a.m., dispatch logs say. Pierce said the house was ablaze when firefighters from numerous towns responded to the scene. The boy was outside when firefighters arrived.
He lives at the home with his father, Donald Coston, and Donald Coston’s daughter, who was visiting elsewhere when the fire broke out, Pierce said.
Pierce said fire damage appeared to be confined to the second story, but that a lot of water had been used to try to douse the fire, and much of the water remained in the first floor.
The fire closed Route 24 for several hours, and firefighters and police worked to detour traffic.
Pierce said an investigator from the Office of the State Fire Marshal confirmed that fire had resulted from the injured boy’s playing with a lighter.
Pierce said the fire started in one upstairs room and spread quickly to the attic.
Augusta
Sunday
At 2:50 p.m., there was a disturbance on Green Street.
3:05 p.m., there was an accident on Capitol Street.
5:12 p.m., a 34-year-old Augusta man was issued a summons charging theft by police responding to a shoplifting complaint at a Civic Center Drive store.
5:21 p.m., there was a report of mischief on Old Winthrop Road.
5:54 p.m., there was a trespassing complaint on Riverside Drive.
9:48 p.m., there was a report of disorderly conduct on Winthrop Street.
10:58 p.m., firefighters responded to an alarm on Northern Avenue.
Monday
At 9:59 a.m., there was an accident at the intersection of State and Winthrop streets.
10:43 a.m., there was an accident on State Street.
11:01 a.m., there was a hit-and-run accident on Water Street.
3:09 p.m., there was an accident at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Kennison Street.
Belgrade
Monday
At 2:15 a.m., there was suspicious activity on Smithfield Road.
Chelsea
Friday
At 9:57 a.m., there was a report of a recent burglary on Togus Road.
5:24 p.m., a burglar alarm sounded on Beech Street.
Saturday
At 3:11 p.m., injury was reported after a crash on River Road.
6:52 p.m., injury was reported after a crash on Cooper Road.
China
Friday
At 9:04 a.m., there was suspicious activity on Tyler Road.
12:21 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Kidder Road.
Farmingdale
Sunday
At 10:51 a.m., there was a report of theft of services on Maine Avenue.
Gardiner
Friday
At 4:27 p.m., there was an accident on Northern Avenue.
10:38 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Steamboat Lane.
Saturday
3:18 a.m., there was suspicious activity on Cobbossee Avenue.
5:06 a.m., there was suspicious activity on Blueberry Hill Lane.
5:01 p.m., there was a report of mischief at the Arcade parking lot.
8:24 p.m., there was an accident on Water Street.
Sunday
At 8:02 a.m., there was a report of juvenile offenses on Capen Road.
4:03 p.m., a 15-year-old was charged with theft by police responding to a complaint on West Street.
Manchester
Sunday
At 7:26 a.m., there was suspicious activity at Hammonds Grove.
11:24 a.m., there was an accident on Pond Road.
4:56 p.m., there was a report of mischief on Lighthouse Lane.
Monmouth
Friday
At 11:01 a.m., there was an accident on Pine Hill Road.
Saturday
12:28 p.m., there was an accident on Route 126.
Sunday
At 11:48 a.m., there was a 911 hang-up on Wilson Pond Road.
5:40 p.m., police responded to a burglar alarm on Sinclair Lane.
Mount Vernon
Saturday
At 9:41 p.m., there was a 911 hang-up on Hovey Luce Road.
Pittston
Saturday
At 1:17 p.m., there was suspicious activity at Pittston Fire Station on Route 126.
Randolph
Friday
At 2:02 p.m., there was suspicious activity at a Water Street store.
3:42 p.m., there was an accident on Water Street.
Saturday
At 7:39 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Windsor Street.
Readfield
Saturday
At 6:23 a.m., a burglar alarm sounded at a Nickerson Hill Road business.
Sunday
At 8:17 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Main Street.
Sidney
Friday
At 9:55 a.m., there was a 911 hang-up on Kelly Circle.
Sunday
At 3:54 p.m., police responded to a burglar alarm on Alfalfa Road.
8:46 p.m., there was suspicious activity on Dinsmore Road.
Vassalboro
Friday
At 11:54 a.m., there was a report of a recent burglary on Bog Road.
2:48 p.m., a burglar alarm sounded on Alpine Street.
3:50 p.m., there was a report of mischief on Taber Hill Road.
Wayne
Sunday
At 10:11 p.m., there was a 911 hang-up at a Campground Road business.
West Gardiner
Sunday
At 2:56 p.m., there was an accident on Hallowell-Litchfield Road.
Windsor
Saturday
At 1:08 a.m., there was a report of a recent burglary on Weeks Mills Road.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
