Press Release  Bellingham Fire Cause Undetermined but Not Suspicious

BELLINGHAM — The fire that claimed two sisters’ lives in Bellingham does not appear suspicious, said Bellingham Fire Chief William R. Miller, Bellingham Police Chief Ken Fitzgerald, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.

Bellingham firefighters rescued 68-year-old Patricia Cronin and 75-year-old Elizabeth Emery from the early-morning fire at 15 Temi Road, but both women later died at an area hospital. 

“If you do one thing today, please check your home’s smoke alarms to be sure they’re working properly,” said Chief Miller. “We don’t want to see another family endure a tragedy like this one.” 

“People aged 65 and older account for more than half of this year’s fire deaths, and investigators found working alarms at just one of those scenes,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “Take a few minutes to check in with older friends, neighbors, and loved ones to see if they need help installing, maintaining, or replacing their alarms.”

The Bellingham Fire Department, Bellingham Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester DA’s office believe the fire most likely started in a first-floor bedroom at the rear of the home. Based on an examination of the severely damaged structure, witness interviews, and other evidence, they believe the fire started accidentally but the exact cause is undetermined. 

The Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit located a 19-year-old smoke alarm in the basement, a badly damaged smoke alarm on the first floor, and no alarms on the second floor. While a neighbor’s doorbell camera picked up the sounds of a smoke alarm before firefighters’ arrival, the first personnel on scene did not hear them sounding.

Chief Miller and State Fire Marshal Davine said residents should have working alarms on every level of the home and that it’s especially important to have them in each bedroom and in the hallway outside each bedroom. Test the alarms once a month to be sure they’re working properly.

“If your alarms take alkaline batteries, replace the batteries twice a year when you change your clocks,” said Chief Miller. “That’s a great time to check the manufacturing date printed on the back of the device, but if you don’t know how old your alarms are then check them today.”

“Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “When it’s time to replace them, choose alarms with a sealed, long-life battery and a ‘hush’ feature. This makes it less likely that the alarm will be disabled in an emergency.”

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