A man dies as a result of arson In the early morning hours of Saturday, October 11, 1986, a devastating fire tore through a residence at 314 Islington Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The blaze, which was reported at approximately 3:25 a.m., claimed the life of 29-year-old Caucasian male, Joseph Poulin. Another resident, Terry Giles, age 24, also perished in the fire.
A third victim, 39-year-old Linda Plummer, was severely burned in the fire and succumbed to her injuries months later on March 30, 1987, at
Massachusetts General Hospital. Investigators determined that the fire was not accidental and was deliberately set, classifying the deaths as homicides. The case of the fatal arson that ended three lives remains unsolved.
Despite the passage of time, the investigation into who set the fire that killed Joseph Poulin, Terry Giles, and Linda Plummer is still open. Law enforcement has not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the arson. The case is listed among Portsmouth's unsolved homicides, a painful reminder of a tragedy that struck the community decades ago. Authorities continue to seek information from the public that might lead to a resolution and bring justice to the families of the victims.
