Remains of missing Kansas man found at scene of western Newfoundland hotel fire

Police say the remains of a 77-year-old man from Kansas have been found at the scene of a large fire that destroyed a hotel in western Newfoundland on Saturday.

Eugene Earl Spoon had been unaccounted for after the fire at the Driftwood Inn in Deer Lake, N.L., where he was staying as a guest.

Officials say the man’s remains were discovered this morning.

A news release says the RCMP are still going through the wreckage of the hotel as part of their investigation into the blaze.

The Mounties said Monday that Spoon was visiting the province from Kansas, and he was last seen on Friday evening in the town of about 4,800 people.

Police say the provincial medical examiner’s office is also involved in the investigation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2024.