Press Release  East Brookfield Fatal Fire Under Investigation

EAST BROOKFIELD — A house fire on West Main Street claimed the life of a resident early this morning, said East Brookfield Fire Chief David Messier, East Brookfield Police Chief Joseph Lazarick, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, and Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.

“On behalf of the East Brookfield Fire Department, I want to offer our condolences to the man’s family,” said Chief Messier. “This is a very sad day for them and the community.”

The East Brookfield Fire Department and East Brookfield Police were dispatched to 234 West Main St. at about 3:35 this morning after 9-1-1 calls reporting a structure fire with flames through the roof. Firefighters observed smoke and flames on arrival and struck a second alarm.

The first company on scene immediately made entry to attack the fire and locate a resident they believed to be inside. That resident, an adult who used a wheelchair, was located and removed from the home; sadly, he had suffered fatal injuries. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of his death and conduct a formal identification process.

The fire grew quickly and the single-family home was soon fully involved. Firefighters knocked down the bulk of the fire in about 20 minutes but the structure will be a total loss.

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by the East Brookfield Fire Department, East Brookfield Police Department, District 7 fire investigators, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s office. They are supported by the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit.

“The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but we didn’t find any working smoke alarms at the scene,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “Please, take a few minutes today to be sure you and your loved ones are protected by working smoke alarms on every level of your home.”

The fire departments of Spencer, North Brookfield, Brookfield, and West Brookfield provided mutual aid at the scene. The Charlton Fire Department provided station coverage. 

###