Press Release  Fatal Fires in Southbridge, Salem Under Investigation

STOW — State Police fire investigators are assisting local officials after deadly fires in two homes without working smoke alarms, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said.

“Interviews and scene examinations suggest that neither of these homes were protected by working smoke alarms,” State Fire Marshal Davine said. “Today’s residential fires burn faster and create more deadly smoke than they did just a few years ago. Working smoke alarms alert you to that danger earlier – and that can be the difference between life and death.”

The first fire was reported at about 3:30 pm on March 9 at 417 South Street in Southbridge. Firefighters rescued one resident, a woman in her 60s, from the home. She was transported to a local hospital and then flown to Mass General in Boston, where she died of her injuries. The fire went to three alarms before being brought under control.

The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by the Southbridge Fire Department, Southbridge Police Department, the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s office. Investigators determined that the fire began on the first floor in the kitchen near the left side of the building. They are considering several potential causes, all of which are accidental.

The second fire was reported just after 1:15 pm on March 10 at 18 Roslyn Street in Salem. Firefighters confirmed heavy smoke and flames on arrival. They struck a second alarm and immediately made entry to attack the fire and search for occupants. They located one adult, extricated him from the building, and transferred his care to an Atlantic Ambulance crew. The man was transported to Mass General Brigham, where he was pronounced deceased.

The origin and cause of this fire are being investigated by the Salem Fire Department, Salem Police, the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Essex County District Attorney’s office. They are supported by the DFS Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit. Preliminarily, this fire does not appear suspicious. Investigators believe the fire began in a third-floor bedroom, but the exact cause has not been determined.

Every household needs working smoke alarms on every level of the home. They should be on the ceiling in each bedroom, in the hallway outside the bedroom, at the top of each stairway, and at the base of cellar stairs.

State Fire Marshal Davine urged residents to check the manufacturing date printed on the back of every alarm and replace the device if it’s more than 10 years old. Older alarms that use alkaline batteries can be used until they reach the end of their 10-year lifespan, but the batteries should be changed twice a year when you change your clocks.

“Replacement alarms should have a sealed, long-life battery and a ‘hush’ feature to ensure that they aren’t disabled,” State Fire Marshal Davine said.

When choosing new alarms, fire officials recommend devices from a well-known, national brand with the mark of an independent testing lab like UL or Intertek/ETL. Alarms that meet UL Standard 217, 8^th edition or later, use the latest multi-criteria detection technology to reduce nuisance alarms caused by cooking smoke. Residents should test their smoke alarms every month to be sure they’re working properly, State Fire Marshal Davine said.

“If you need help installing, maintaining, or replacing your alarms, contact your local fire department today,” the Marshal said. “Please don’t wait until it’s too late.” 

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