- Department of Fire Services
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Jake Wark, Public Information Officer
HOLYOKE — State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine this week suspended a commercial cooking exhaust hood cleaner’s license for up to two and a half years after failing to clean the ductwork where a fire later broke out at the Holyoke Mall.
The order bars JOSEPH GORECKI and his business, Gorecki & Sons LLC, from performing any regulated work until September 2029, but it would allow him to seek reinstatement after 15 months if he takes and successfully passes a certification exam administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s office. The remaining 15 months would be considered a probationary period during which his individual and business licenses could again be suspended and new penalties could be imposed if he violates any aspect of the State Fire Code.
Neither Gorecki nor his business is alleged to have started the February 18, 2026, fire at the Holyoke Mall. That fire began when sparks from work in the area ignited built-up grease within the exhaust ducts.
Rather, a joint investigation by the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit and the Holyoke Fire Department determined that Gorecki & Sons LLC had failed to properly clean that ductwork of grease, failed to document his work accurately, and failed to notify the property owner of any areas that were inaccessible, not cleaned, or not compliant with the Fire Code. Gorecki admitted to these violations and similar violations at three restaurants in Haverhill, Westfield, and Marlborough.
“The Fire Code’s hood cleaning provisions protect lives and property,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “They were put in place after a grease fire in restaurant duct work killed two firefighters. The overwhelming majority of hood cleaning license holders understand the risks and do effective, professional work. Those who don’t put people and businesses in harm’s way.”
“Every day, families put their trust in the Fire Code to make restaurants, malls, and other public spaces safe to visit,” said Holyoke Fire Chief John Kadlewicz. “Code violations aren’t administrative technicalities – they’re serious business. Holyoke firefighters spent four hours fighting the three-alarm fire at the Holyoke Mall, and we’re extremely fortunate that no one was seriously injured.”
The license suspension was based on cooperative efforts by the Department of Fire Services and the Holyoke Fire Department following the February fire; witness interviews; Gorecki & Sons inspection records; and spot-checks of various locations where Gorecki & Sons had performed regulated work. They were also based on Gorecki’s admissions, in which he took responsibility for the violations.
Anyone aware of hood cleaning work performed by Joseph Gorecki or Gorecki & Sons LLC prior to September 2027 is asked to contact the DFS Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit at 978-567-3375.
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