Press Release  Lynn Man Dies After Suffering Injuries in House Fire

LYNN — A man injured during a fire in his Lewis Street apartment on Sunday has died, said Lynn Fire Chief Daniel Sullivan, Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy, and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones,” said Chief Sullivan. “On behalf of the Lynn Fire Department, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences for their loss.”

The Lynn Fire Department responded to 104-106 Lewis St. at about 11:45 Saturday morning following a 9-1-1 call reporting smoke in the building. On arrival, they heard smoke alarms sounding and observed smoke showing from the front right of the third floor. Firefighters immediately made entry into the six-family dwelling and found fire in a third-floor apartment. They located one occupant, a man in his 40s who was unresponsive, and removed him from the building. Firefighters contained the fire to the room of origin and brought it under control within an hour.

Firefighters undertook life-saving efforts at the scene and Atlantic EMS continued to treat the man as they transported him to Salem Hospital. He was later transported to Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, where he passed away yesterday afternoon.

“As sad as this incident is, working smoke alarms alerted other residents to the danger and may have prevented an even greater tragedy,” said Chief Sullivan. “Several residents are displaced due to smoke and water damage, but no other injuries were reported.”

There have been 40 residential fire deaths in Massachusetts this year, State Fire Marshal Davine said. Investigators determined that smoke alarms were present and operated in just 14 of these cases; they were either not present, not working, or their performance could not be determined in the remainder.

“Working smoke alarms on every level of your home are among the most effective tools for preventing injury or worse in a fire,” State Fire Marshal Davine said.

The origin and cause of Saturday’s fire are under investigation by the Lynn Fire Department, Lynn Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Essex County District Attorney’s office. The Swampscott Fire Department provided mutual aid.

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